Former NFL running back Peyton Hillis recently shared his experience of rescuing his son and niece from a dangerous rip current in the Gulf of Mexico. In an interview on "Good Morning America," Hillis recounted the terrifying January incident that resulted in a two-week hospital stay for himself due to lung and kidney complications. He emphasized the miraculous nature of the event, stating that it was incredible that no lives were lost.

The incident unfolded on January 4th in Pensacola, Florida. Hillis explained that despite a recent storm, there were no warning flags present to indicate the hazardous water conditions. His son, Orry, and niece, Camille, who were 9 and 8 at the time, were caught in a powerful rip current. Hearing his mother's cries, Hillis instinctively rushed into the water.

Hillis faced a heart-wrenching decision: his niece was in more immediate danger, forcing him to swim past his struggling son to reach her first. He described Camille's panic, recalling her cries of "We're gonna die!" After successfully bringing his niece back to shore, Hillis returned to the water to find his son nearly unconscious. Battling powerful waves, Hillis found himself struggling to bring his son back to safety. He recounted a moment of prayer, expressing his willingness to sacrifice his own life for his son's.

Eventually, Hillis managed to reach shallow water and carry his son to the beach, but he lost consciousness as emergency responders arrived. Hillis, a former seventh-round draft pick, had a notable NFL career, including a breakout season with the Cleveland Browns in 2010. He also played for the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, and New York Giants. Prior to his NFL career, Hillis played college football at Arkansas, excelling as a pass-catching back.