Peyton Hillis is praised as a ‘remarkable father’ as he remains in hospital after saving children

Peyton Hillis is being hailed as a ‘remarkable father’ as the former Cleveland Browns running back remains hospitalized in Florida after successfully saving his children from drowning on a Pensacola beach.

“What a remarkable father who is making the ultimate sacrifice for his children and praying that he will get better and be there for his children again,” wrote one Twitter user.

“A lot of kids look to their dad as their hero, but the kids of Peyton Hillis can now literally say their dad saved their life,” added another.

The 36-year-old Arkansas native saved his children from drowning on a Pensacola beach but was reportedly in critical condition as a result of the swimming accident. Both children – Hillis’ son Orry and his younger daughter – are said to be safe.

Peyton Hillis is being lauded as a ‘remarkable father’ as the former NFL running back remains in the hospital after successfully saving his children from drowning on a Pensacola beach

Hillis with his girlfriend Angela Cole, an actress who is not the mother of his children

The 36-year-old Arkansas native saved his children from drowning on a Pensacola beach but was reportedly in critical condition as a result of the swimming accident. Both children – Hillis’ son Orry and his younger daughter – are said to be safe

Hillis was reportedly unconscious Thursday after being flown to a local hospital, where his breathing is now “improving,” according to an ICU update.

A man identified as Hillis’ uncle revealed the update in a Facebook post on Thursday night, adding that his nephew has problems with his lungs and kidneys.

“Just wanted to let everyone on Razorback Nation know that Peyton is doing better,” wrote Greg Hillis. “He’s still in intensive care and has some problems with his kidneys and lungs, but doctors say he’s doing better.”

A spokesman for the Browns declined to comment, saying the team is waiting for news of Hillis’ condition to be confirmed before doing so.

Former Hillis agent Kennard McGuire did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.

Another former Browns running back, Chris Ogbonnaya, took to Twitter to ask fans to pray for his old teammate: “Please keep former teammate Peyton Hillis in your thoughts and prayers.”

Former NFL safetyman Antoine Bethea had a similar post: “Prayers for Peyton Hillis!”

Hillis’ children are seen with now-ex-wife Amanda during his short tenure in Kansas City

A man identified as Hillis’ uncle revealed the update in a Facebook post on Thursday night, adding that his nephew has problems with his lungs and kidneys

Many online reactions praised Hillis as a good father and a likeable man. One podcaster was particularly fond of his time with Hillis.

“Peyton Hillis is a super good guy,” tweeted a podcaster named Sir Yacht. “An absolute chump, and I mean that in the best possible way. He’s a hero because today he saved his children from drowning. I am praying hard for him and I hope he makes a safe and speedy recovery.

Cole confirmed the relationship in a social media post on July 6, 2022

“Guy saved his kids from drowning and is now in the hospital,” wrote one Twitter user. “Speedy recovery for a father who puts his kids first, some people don’t always do that.”

The former Browns star had been trying his hand at acting in recent years and appeared in the 2021 horror film The Hunting.

He starred in this film alongside actress Angela Cole and the two are now dating.

The film was something of a homecoming for Hillis since it was shot in Mantua, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.

Cole first made their relationship public in a Facebook post on July 6, 2022.

Cole wrote: “I don’t care what they say about you Peyt. I think you’re pretty awesome. Sometimes someone walks into your life and changes everything. I’m so incredibly grateful for you.’

Hillis appeared to confirm the relationship on his unconfirmed Instagram page in August.

He said, “I mean, the Bahamas was beautiful…but it’s just her,” before adding several heart emojis.”

Hillis divorced his children’s mother, Amanda, in 2020.

Many online reactions praised Hillis as a good father and a likeable man. One podcaster was particularly fond of his time with Hillis. “Peyton Hillis is a super good guy,” tweeted a podcaster named Sir Yacht. “An absolute chump, and I mean that in the best possible way. He’s a hero because today he saved his children from drowning. I am praying hard for him and I hope he makes a safe and speedy recovery.

Hillis was able to make sure his children were okay, but he ended up in intensive care

Hillis in a scene in the 2021 horror film The Hunting, released on video-on-demand

After starting his career with the Denver Broncos, Hillis was traded to the Browns for backup QB Brady Quinn along with a pick in the sixth round.

In four years at the University of Arkansas, Hillis totaled 960 rushing yards and 1,197 receiving yards while scoring 23 touchdowns.

Hillis’ spectacular 2010 season led to fans choosing him to cover EA Sports’ Madden 12

Hillis is best known for his 2010 season with Cleveland, which included 1,600 yards and 13 total touchdowns. As a result of this campaign, he won a national vote to become the cover athlete for the EA Sports Madden 12 video game.

After two seasons in Cleveland, he joined the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent.

He ended his pro career with stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Giants.

Hillis retired in 2015 at his doctor’s request due to a history of concussions.

He spoke to Bleacher Report in 2015 about his open battles with mental health and depression when he decided to leave the game he loved.

“I had a really bad depression during that time,” he said, specifically of his years in Cleveland. “I got help because I couldn’t sleep, I was so upset that everything was going the way it was and no one could understand.

Commenting on his decision to retire, he said: “After a while it got too hard. It wasn’t that important to me anymore, I didn’t want to work on it. Football got me down. I still love the game and I still have a lot of friends in the game, but when it comes to NFL football, my heart just isn’t in it anymore.

Former Cleveland Browns running back Chris Ogbonnaya also called on fans to pray for Hillis