MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Who is Peyton Hillis' ex-wife? Ex-Browns RB said Amanda was his savior when football brought him down

The former RB is reportedly in critical condition after rescuing his children from potentially drowning

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA: A former NFL star who played two years for the Browns in 2010 and 2011, Peyton Hillis, is reportedly in critical condition after rescuing his children from potentially drowning on January 5. Sidelines-Arkansas tweeted Hillis’ children are OK but he was in “critical condition” following the incident and also shared a screenshot of what appeared to be a Facebook post from his uncle Greg. 

The screenshot read, "I just wanted to let everyone know on Razorback Nation that Peyton is doing better,” Greg wrote to fans of the Arkansas Razorbacks, the college that Hillis attended. “He’s still in intensive care and having some problems with his kidneys and his lungs but doctors say he is improving. I just wanted to head off any rumors that may be started. I’m sure he would want everyone to know that he appreciates all of the prayers being thrown up on his behalf!!!”

READ MORE

Devastated Houston grandfather finds grandson, 9, lifeless in bathtub after possible drowning

TRAGEDY ON THE RIO GRANDE: Two little children drown and infant is critical after illegal crossing goes horribly wrong

Peyton, who shot to fame for being featured on the cover of the video game, 'Madden,' was also popular for his 2010 season with Cleveland, where he created 1,600 total yards and 13 total touchdowns, as previously reported.

Who is Peyton Hillis' ex-wife?

Peyton married Amanda Brown in October 2011. That time he had said, "When you know, you know," reported Bleacher Report. He also told, "When I got married, a lot of things changed, And football just wasn't as important to me as it was before."

"I believe truly to this day that if I didn't have my wife and my family, I'd be in a lot worse state. I'm in a good state now, but I'd be really far off without them. The heartache that I went through on and off the field at that time made me realize what was truly important, and it wasn't football. Obviously, football is done, and what do I have now? I have my family. It's just one of those things you look back on and you're bitter because you know you could have done more if you just had the opportunity, but a lot of things are out of your hands, so you try to look at it [as a] positive. But the only thing that was going well for me during that time was my wife," he had said.

They  have a son and a daughter together. The couple divorced in 2020 and in an interview with Bleacher Report, he told the outlet he wished he waited for marriage. "I probably should have waited for my marriage, there's no doubt about it," he said.

Peyton is currently dating longtime girlfriend and actress Angela Cole. Cole is an actress who has starred in several productions since the late 2010s. She is best known for her roles in Time Pirates, Triple Threat, and Mudblood Part Three.

'Football brought me down'

After his stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New York Giants, Peyton retired in 2015. He told Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon, "I never really was 'the guy.' I was always the guy to fill the spot until somebody else came along."

He also said, "I really lost a lot mentally and emotionally with the game. And it's not as though the years I played after that I didn't try, but something was lacking. I was really heartbroken when I left the Browns because that was where I really needed to be. And after a while, it got too hard. I didn't care as much anymore, I didn't care to work at it." And added by saying, "Football brought me down. I still love the game and I still have a lot of friends in the game, but as far as NFL football goes, my heart's just not in it anymore."