Yahoo Sports Bills LT Dion Dawkins details scary battle with COVID-19: 'I don’t know if I’m going to make this'
Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins feared he would die after spending four days in the hospital due to COVID-19. Dawkins detailed his harrowing experience with the virus, saying he was "extremely emotional" going through it, according to Sal Capaccio.
Dawkins spoke about dealing with the virus during a press conference Tuesday. He explained that he had essentially every symptom, and spent four days in the hospital battling COVID-19.
Bills LT Dion Dawkins said he was in the hospital for about 4 days while battling Covid-19. “Shortness of breath, hot and cold, everything….” he said.
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) August 17, 2021
Dawkins admitted there were times he thought the virus would kill him.
“How am I a professional athlete and I’m down bad like this?” — Dion Dawkins on what went through his head while battling Covid.
Said he was “extremely emotional,” adding “there were moments where I was like, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to make this’”— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) August 17, 2021
Dawkins said he was nearly fully vaccinated when he contracted the virus. Dawkins had received his second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, but wasn't two weeks past the date of his second shot, so he wasn't considered "fully vaccinated."
Just for clarification: Dion Dawkins confirmed he got Covid after he had received both shots, but before two more weeks had gone by to be considered “fully vaccinated.” Said he was a few days short of that.
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) August 17, 2021
He estimates he lost nearly 15 pounds while dealing with the virus.
Dion Dawkins still recovering from COVID-19
Dawkins reported to Bills training camp on time, but was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list shortly after arriving. He missed 10 days due to the virus, and is still ramping back up into game shape.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Sunday that Dawkins wasn't close to game action yet, according to Bills Wire.
“He’s not close to where he needs to be to play and help us,” McDermott said Sunday via press conference. “He’s got a long road here. He’s going to control what he can control and so are we. He’s going to continue to work hard to get himself back. This is Week 4 of training camp, so he’s missed a lot of time.”
Dawkins is a key member of the team. He's started every single regular season game for the Bills for three straight seasons.
The Bills are at the center of the COVID-19 vaccine debate in the NFL. Receiver Cole Beasley is among the most vocal opponents of the vaccine, while both Stefon Diggs and Emmanuel Sanders have spoken in support of getting the vaccine.
Nearly 90 percent of NFL players had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of July 30. On Monday, the Atlanta Falcons became the first NFL team to reach a 100 percent COVID vaccination rate among players.
More from Yahoo Sports:
