Peyton Hillis update: Former college football, NFL star on "road to recovery" after swimming accident

The former Arkansas football star was in critical condition after a reported swimming accident, but is taking important steps towards recovery

Former college football and NFL star Peyton Hillis has been taken off a ventilator one week after he reportedly saved family members from drowning during a swimming accident, according to his girlfriend.

Hillis was in critical condition after the reported incident, but this development is a noted improvement as his condition continues to improve.

Angela Cole, Hillis' girlfriend, said on Instagram that he is "on the road to recovery" but noted that "he's still got a ways ahead of him."

What happened?

Hillis has been in the hospital since he reportedly helped in a water rescue off the coast of Pensacola, Fla., on Jan. 4 that included at least one member of his family.

Escambia Co. emergency services said that four people, including two children, were struggling in the water when someone came to their rescue and helped them back to land.

Paramedics arrived shortly afterwards and took two adults to the hospital, including one by helicopter. Authorities did not name the people involved.

But Greg Hillis, who identified himself as Hillis' uncle in a Facebook message, said that the former Arkansas player was hospitalized and having trouble with his kidneys and lungs, and Fox 24 in Fayetteville reported that Hillis was in critical condition in ICU after he helped in the rescue.

Peyton Hillis football career

Hillis came to prominence during his career at Arkansas from 2004 to 2008. He finished with 203 carries for 959 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards per rush, in four seasons with the Razorbacks.

He was also a receiving threat, catching 118 passes for 1,195 yards (10.1 average) and 11 additional touchdowns.

Hillis played in the National Football League from 2008 to 2014, suiting up for the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, and New York Giants.

He had an especially productive outing in Cleveland, running 270 times for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning a spot as the cover athlete for Madden 12.

As a pro, Hillis had 2,832 rushing yards while averaging 4.1 yards per carry in 81 appearances, adding 1,050 receiving yards and scoring 26 total touchdowns.

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