ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --Head Coach John Fox is on the road to recovery.
Feeling light-headed on a Charlotte golf course Saturday led to the coach undergoing a successful aortic heart valve replacement Monday morning. But before that, he made sure to get in touch with the Broncos' team captains.
"He called all the captains on Saturday and Sunday to kind of tell them what's going on," quarterback Peyton Manning said. "He wanted me to make it known that after he got light-headed and sort of semi-fainted he did chip it to two feet and made par on that hole. He wanted that to be known. So that tells you Coach Fox's attitude and personality and obviously he's in our thoughts and prayers. Like (Executive Vice President of Football Operations) John Elway said, it's his health and his long-term health – that's the number one thing of importance right now."
Interim Head Coach/Defensive Coordiantor Jack Del Rio said he hasn't had a chance to speak with Fox directly since the surgery, but he knows that he is doing well.
"He was able to move around a little bit yesterday," Del Rio said. "He is in the ICU. He does have a long road ahead of him in terms of the recovery. We'll continue to stay in contact with he and his wife Robin."
Manning said he has been in touch with Robin Fox as recently as Tuesday, as well. So he has no doubt that the team will stay in touch with its head coach, even if he might be unavailable in the short term.
"It is hard for Coach Fox to give up his cell phone, but I think he has to do it right now during this time," Manning said. "I'm not sure that's part of the rehab process."
It's still unclear how quickly Fox will be able to return to the team and whether he will be able to help make any coaching decisions in the meantime.
No matter how long it takes, Manning said the team's thoughts and prayers are with the coach. And Del Rio said as far as he's concerned, the sooner Fox is back the better.
"As a friend, I'm pulling for him to get back as soon as possible because I know what his passion is," Del Rio said. "He loves doing this and we love having him here."
