Ellis McKennie III announced that his father was diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, on March 23. Soon, he was put into a coma. But on Monday, Ellis McKennie Jr. was released from the hospital after a lengthy fight with the virus.
“This is hope,” the younger McKennie tweeted. “Hope that with tireless work from medical professionals, support and positivity from loved ones, and a prayer ARMY, that this disease can be beaten. After close to a month in the hospital, 2 1/2 weeks in a coma, my dad has been released. GOD IS GOOD! STAY POSITIVE!”
This is hope. Hope that with tireless work from medical professsionals, support and positivity from loved ones, and a prayer ARMY, that this disease can be beaten. After close to a month in the hospital, 2 1/2 weeks in a coma, my dad has been released. GOD IS GOOD! STAY POSITIVE! pic.twitter.com/gC2GUSQBg7
— Ellis McKennie (@ellismckennie) April 13, 2020
McKennie Jr., who played basketball at George Washington from 1987 to 1991, was originally diagnosed with pneumonia before being tested for COVID-19.
In addition to the coma, McKennie Jr. required a ventilator for a large portion of his hospital stay. His son reported on April 6 that he’d been taken off the ventilator and was able to breathe on his own again.
McKennie III played offensive tackle for the Terrapins from 2016 to 2019. He was one of the team’s vocal leaders in 2018 when his teammate and roommate Jordan McNair died from heatstroke following a spring practice at which he collapsed and not administered proper care.
He was accepted into George Washington University Law School, but is also eligible for the NFL draft and could continue his playing career in the pros if he’s drafted or signs as an undrafted free agent.
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