Former Kansas City Chiefs WR Tamarick Vanover is out of the hospital and recovering at home after a battle with COVID-19.
According to the Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat, Vanover was released from Capital Regional Medical Center on Friday, March 5 after two weeks spent in the hospital. The 47-year-old former NFL receiver received supplemental oxygen and medications for double pneumonia that developed as he battled the virus.
“I know there have been people who came through these doors and didn’t make it through the other side,” Vanover told the Tallahassee Democrat. “The staff here did a wonderful job treating me, letting me know what was going on. I was just trying to be confident in a situation that could be difficult.”
When Vanover first felt sick, he went to a satellite medical office where he received multiple COVID-19 tests with conflicting results according to the report. But it was an “abnormal” chest X-Ray that led to his hospitalization per the Democrat.
The former Chiefs wideout thought he’d protected himself against the virus, wearing a mask, washing his hands and taking other measures. He still doesn’t know where or how he contracted COVID-19.
“What concerned me is you can do everything possible to try to prevent it – and you can still catch it,” Vanover explained.
Now, more than ever, Vanover knows how dangerous and damaging the virus can be. He’ll continue on medications and oxygen as he recovers at home, but as many have learned with the virus, some of the damage done can persist.
“Looking at my X-rays, I know exactly what COVID looks like,” Vanover said.
Vanover spent five of his six seasons in the NFL with the Chiefs. He was a standout punt and kick return specialist during his time with the team, returning 181 punts for over 1,900 yards and 4 touchdowns, and 226 kickoffs for nearly 5,500 yards and 4 touchdowns.
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