Two-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora has publicly shared details of a life-threatening health crisis that left him hospitalized for nearly a month and in a coma for five days.
At a Glance
- Osi Umenyiora spent five days in a coma following extensive surgery
- The 44-year-old former Giants defensive end was hospitalized for almost a month
- Co-host Jason Bell remained by his side throughout the ordeal
- Why it matters: The revelation highlights the enduring bond between former teammates and the power of friendship during medical emergencies
The 44-year-old former New York Giants defensive end opened up about his health scare on his show The Breakdown, which airs in Europe on NFL UK & Ireland. Speaking directly to viewers, Umenyiora revealed the severity of his condition and expressed gratitude for those who supported him during his darkest moments.
“I was in the hospital for almost a month,” Umenyiora said at the beginning of the show. “I was in a coma for five days, had some extensive surgery. I was in a really, really bad place.”
A Friendship Tested by Crisis
While Umenyiora chose not to disclose specific details about what led to his hospitalization, he gestured toward his midsection as he spoke. Instead, he focused on expressing appreciation for those who demonstrated their care during his illness, particularly his co-host and former teammate Jason Bell.
“And I find out right then and there who actually loved me because there were some people who showed up every single day,” Umenyiora explained. “There were some people who came to see me when I was in a coma. There were some people who traveled from all across the world to come see me when I was at my lowest points.”
The British-Nigerian former football star, who shares two children with his wife Leila Lopes (Miss Universe 2011), became emotional as he described the moment he saw Bell after waking from his coma.
“This man right here was by my side,” he said of Bell. “I remember when I got up and I saw him for the first time, I just started crying because I could feel the love.”
Medical Evidence of Their Bond
In a particularly moving revelation, Umenyiora shared that medical staff had noticed his body’s response to Bell’s presence even while he remained unconscious.
“So don’t you ever mistake what we got going on up here for something that’s not real because this is real, and I love you, J-Bell,” Umenyiora said. “I really, really appreciate everything you did. They told me that when I heard your voice, my heart rate started to spike, which was absolutely incredible.”
The two-time Super Bowl champion’s testimony highlighted the contrast between those who supported him and those who appeared indifferent to his struggle.
“I had some people actually who I thought loved me, they were in wherever they were, dancing and posting videos while I was in the hospital dying and I had other people who were right there by my side,” he said.
Following his emotional statement, the former NFL players shared an embrace, their long-standing friendship clearly evident.
A Friendship Forged on the Field
Umenyiora and Bell’s connection extends back to 2006 when they were teammates on the New York Giants. Their bond has endured well beyond their playing careers, lasting over 15 years according to a 2021 interview Umenyiora gave to RadioTimes.com.
“We’re talking about a friendship that goes back 15 years,” Umenyiora said in that interview. “It’s a long time to be aware of somebody. It’s been a long time that we’ve known each other and that’s why you see what you see. What you see between me and him, it’s real. It’s not like an act.”
This genuine friendship was put to the ultimate test during Umenyiora’s recent health crisis, with Bell proving himself to be a constant presence throughout the nearly month-long hospitalization.
The revelation of Umenyiora’s health battle comes as the former athlete continues to build his media career alongside Bell, with their show The Breakdown serving as a platform for NFL analysis and discussion across Europe. The program airs on NFL UK & Ireland, bringing American football insights to international audiences.
Key Takeaways
- Osi Umenyiora faced a life-threatening health emergency requiring extensive surgery and a five-day medically induced coma
- The former NFL star spent nearly a month hospitalized, with longtime friend and co-host Jason Bell remaining a constant presence
- Medical staff observed Umenyiora’s heart rate increasing when Bell spoke to him during his coma
- The experience revealed the depth of their 15-plus-year friendship that began when they played together for the New York Giants
