PERRY HOSPITALIZED AFTER SUFFERING COMPLICATIONS FROM CHRONIC DISEASE

Former Clemson University star William “The Refrigerator” Perry, who had an extremely successful football career in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, has been hospitalized in Aiken.

Perry, 46, was admitted in serious condition after suffering from symptoms of a chronic illness known as Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Purnell Perry told the [Chicago] Sun-Times in a phone interview that his uncle entered the hospital more than a week ago because of complications related to the illness, and is expected to make a full recovery.

“They were making sure he was in pretty good health before they started treating him,” said Purnell Perry. [...]

According to MayoClinic.com, Guillain-Barré syndrome is an “uncommon inflammatory disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks your nerves, typically causing severe weakness and numbness that usually starts in your extremities and quickly worsens.” [Chicago Sun-Times]

The 300-plus-pound Perry was immortalized during the Bears Super Bowl XX victory when he filled in for Walter Payton at running back and barreled into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown. He also led Clemson to a 1981 national championship.

Sadly, there is no known cure for Guillain-Barré syndrome. Hopefully, this national attention will re-energize discussion over fighting chronic disease.