Former Chicago Bears favorite and Super Bowl champion William "The Refrigerator" Perry has been hospitalized for a leg infection.
Doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital discovered the 53-year-old’s infection Friday when he went in to get medication for his diabetes.
Perry was visiting Chicago from his home in South Carolina at the time to attend the Bears’ season finale against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field Sunday. Officials say he was allowed to go to the game as planned, but had to return to the hospital right after. The hospitalization caused him to miss a scheduled appearance on Monday.
The NFL great played defensive tackle and fullback for the Bears in the ‘80s and ‘90s. He has been battling health issues since a near-fatal onset of Guillain-Barre syndrome in 2008, an illness that attacks the nervous system.
Weighing in at more than 400 pounds, Perry has struggled to take care of himself. The Chicago Sun-Times reports he may be in danger of having his leg amputated.
At Sunday’s game Perry said he couldn't feel anything from the middle of his shin down to his feet, according to the Sun-Times, and couldn't feel his hands either. He added he was fighting to get stronger and keep living.
