Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Geno Hayes is currently in hospice care fighting for his life due to liver disease, per Jenna Laine of ESPN. She provides some detail explaining that Hayes has been awaiting a liver transplant for several weeks now. Geno Hayes played seven years in the NFL, four of them with the Bucs.
I can confirm that former Bucs linebacker Geno Hayes is in hospice care fighting liver disease. I'd spoken to him multiple times over the last several weeks while awaiting a liver transplant. Please keep him in your prayers.
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) April 22, 2021
Geno Hayes played seven years in the NFL, four of them with the Buccaneers. After being selected in the sixth round in the 2008 draft, Hayes was able to become the starting inside linebacker for the Buccaneers by his second season. After four years with Tampa Bay, Hayes wound up playing one year for the Chicago Bears, and two years for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, Hayes is more well-known for his stellar play at Florida State, where he made a name for himself as a great linebacker for the Seminoles. His former high school football coach Frankie Carroll was able to visit him during this hard time, leaving a statement about Hayes, per Yahoo Sports.
“Geno's in need of prayers. He’s fighting for his life,” said Haye's former high school coach Frankie Carroll, who visited Hayes at his mother's home in Valdosta, Georgia last Sunday. “It's tough. Geno's a fun-loving guy.”
During Geno Hayes' tenure in the NFL, he was known as a tackle machine wherever he went. He finished his NFL career with 401 total tackles (48 for a loss), 10 sacks, 21 pass deflections, six interceptions, and six forced fumbles.
According to Yahoo Sports, his health is currently deteriorating. His former high school teammate and close friend, Billy Ray Reddick has remained by Geno Hayes' side through these tough times.
“It's a hard pill to swallow,” said Reddick, who lives in Houston.
Follow Us
Subscribe