Geno Hayes Speaks On His Illness
April 22nd, 2021
Former Bucs OLB Geno Hayes.
Man, this is a tough read.
But not even as close to tough as it may have been for the man who spoke on the record, very likely knowing he is on borrowed time.
Former Bucs, Jags and Florida State linebacker Geno Hayes it was learned today is in hospice care at his mother’s home in Georgia.
Hayes, 33, is suffering from a liver illness. What makes this really sad is that Hayes believes his liver may have been damaged from taking over-the-counter painkillers.
Hayes detailed to Jenna Laine of ESPN last month that he had been on a waiting list for a liver transplant. He also told Laine he had been hospitalized over 20 times in the past 12 months and dropped 70 pounds.
Hayes said he suspects the use of nonprescription pain medications is what caused his condition, combined with a family history of liver disease. Hayes said he took over-the-counter pain medications during his playing career but never more than the amount directed on the bottle.
“I didn’t do like regular guys do with the Toradol shots … I just took [NSAIDs],” Hayes said. “I thought it was safer. But once I got out and started doing research, I was like, ‘Oh … my body is not set up for this.'”
Hayes came to the Bucs in 2008 and became the bridge at starting outside linebacker between Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks and All-Pro Lavonte David. Like Hayes succeeded Brooks in 2009, David succeeded Hayes in 2012.
After spending 2012 with the Bears, Hayes’ final two seasons were with Jacksonville in 2013 and 2014.
April 22nd, 2021 at 8:38 pm
Pray for this man.
April 22nd, 2021 at 8:46 pm
Very sad.
I’m sorry to hear this.
April 22nd, 2021 at 8:47 pm
Hoping he gets a liver transplant!
April 22nd, 2021 at 8:54 pm
I hope he gets the transplant he so desperately needs but first and foremost I hope he gets right with God. Sad to hear this about anyone but especially someone so young and a guy you watched every week. Get well Geno and God bless
April 22nd, 2021 at 9:08 pm
Very sad news he is just a young boy.
April 22nd, 2021 at 9:30 pm
A friend of mines dad died from taking tylenal with a mixed drink every night for years. Liver failure just like Geno
April 22nd, 2021 at 9:35 pm
Prayers up to you brotha.
April 22nd, 2021 at 9:36 pm
Also…
Rest well to brotha – Shock G/Humpty Hump
April 22nd, 2021 at 9:37 pm
Get right with god? Forget that garbage. He needs a liver, not some useless bible babble.
April 22nd, 2021 at 10:08 pm
They don’t move you to hospice care without a reason. Wow, what terrible, terrible news.
April 22nd, 2021 at 10:36 pm
It is a hard task trying to outrun genetics…
April 22nd, 2021 at 10:55 pm
Prayers.
April 22nd, 2021 at 11:30 pm
Man, it’s tragic when someone this young comes down with something like this. Stay strong Mr. Hayes and don’t give up.
April 22nd, 2021 at 11:34 pm
Get well.
April 22nd, 2021 at 11:38 pm
He’s an otherwise healthy person, he should be a prioroty for a liver transplant. Man hopefully this can come through, hope he has enough time to wait it out. Sucks, man, just sucks, Sucks.
April 22nd, 2021 at 11:58 pm
So true.
April 23rd, 2021 at 12:24 am
I dont like to take anything. I was in a motorcycle wreck this past sunday, got banged up pretty good, messed my left knee up and whiplash from hitting my head on the asphalt. Bike was still rideable but will probably get totaled from ins. Anyways, went to the hospital a few hours later, ct scan, xrays, then when they were releasing me the doc was gonna give me a prescription for pain pills and I said no thanks, i’ll deal. I’ll take maybe 1 aleve and thats if i cant sleep.
Hate it for Geno man, 33 is so young.
April 23rd, 2021 at 12:26 am
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
This so so heartbreaking, I have a son 34 and I can’t imagined
how hard this must be for his wife and mother. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
April 23rd, 2021 at 1:40 am
He was one of my favorite players and I proudly had his jersey that i wore to several games. He was a dawg out there and used to fly around the field, but what I loved about him the most was the way he would always get crowd into it before plays asking us to get louder with his arms raising up asking us for more energy… Then he would usually make a big play tfl..sack..fumble forced.. I loved to watch him. GENO HAYES I SALUTE U !!!!
April 23rd, 2021 at 1:45 am
Praying that the powers that be find a liver for Geno. Man this is a tough story to follow.
April 23rd, 2021 at 5:01 am
FortMyersDave I’m with you … Geno needs our prayers to ‘the powers that be’ (I’m old-fashioned & politically incorrect because I still call him God, but whatever works; he’ll listen). And Geno, if you read these comments, I’ll be lifting you up in prayer this morning at our weekly Friday Men’s Prayer Breakfast. Hang tough; got a good friend who got a liver transplant over 15 years ago now when all seemed lost, and she’s still going strong. Keep hope alive.
April 23rd, 2021 at 6:31 am
is the liver of a covid patient that just died not a good liver for a transplant ???
a lot of people are still dying from covid…
someone give this young man a liver
April 23rd, 2021 at 7:37 am
Prayers up for Geno, one of my favs during “The Lost Decade”.
April 23rd, 2021 at 7:50 am
Way to go, Mort. A total ray of sunshine.
April 23rd, 2021 at 8:14 am
God bless you ….
April 23rd, 2021 at 9:40 am
Sad
April 23rd, 2021 at 12:33 pm
So sorry to hear this.
God bless Geno and his family.
An important lesson here is that over the counter pain relievers are NOT “safe” for anything other than occasional use.
Couple or few times per month – probably OK.
But if you are taking ibuprofen (like Advil/Motrin) or acetaminophen (like tylenol) every day or anything close to that – and ESPECIALLY if you are taking them multiple times per day just about every day for an extended period of time – just realize that you are almost certainly damaging your kidneys in doing so.
April 23rd, 2021 at 5:07 pm
MadMax Says:
Sorry about that, been there, have some scars on the t-shirts.
Were you geared up, ATGATT style? That has saved my bacon down here more than once…
April 23rd, 2021 at 8:37 pm
Mort,
The Bible is not babble – if you have a chance to read it you will see God is a good God and He heals – He restored the sight to blind men, those who had leprosy were healed, and the lame were able to walk again.
I lift up my prayers and supplication for Gino!
April 23rd, 2021 at 8:57 pm
Prayers to this man and his family
April 24th, 2021 at 12:12 am
Hi Geno. I’m a football fan and followed you from Florida State to the draft and to the NFL. You are Very talented and I’m saddened to hear this. I’m sending prayers of healing and recovery. I went through this with A close family member in SC and I was able to get him to Emory Hospital in Atlanta and he was able to get the transplant. God is Always in charge. I don’t know your case and I will continue to keep you and your family in prayer. ❤ ❤ ❤
April 24th, 2021 at 10:16 am
Pray for Hayes and his family. Hoping for a transplant ASAP.
April 24th, 2021 at 11:49 am
I might be about to help this gentleman. Admin of forum please email me
April 24th, 2021 at 5:10 pm
Me and my son Chaz visited Geno today. We are praying so hard for a miracle. In the name of Jesus please be with him and his family. His parents are so nice. Please keep his children and family in prayer! We love you Geno!
April 24th, 2021 at 5:11 pm
Me and my son Chaz visited Geno today. We are praying so hard for a miracle. In the name of Jesus please be with him and his family. His parents are so nice. Please keep his children and family in prayer! We love you Geno!