Additional Coverage:
- ‘Blind Side’ star Quinton Aaron on life support after severe blood infection, wife says he’s ‘a fighter’ (foxnews.com)
“Blind Side” Star Quinton Aaron on Life Support After Mystery Illness
LOS ANGELES, CA – Quinton Aaron, the actor known for his role as Michael Oher in the critically acclaimed film “The Blind Side,” is currently fighting for his life in a hospital, placed on life support due to a severe blood infection. The concerning health crisis began with unexplained neck pain, prompting his wife, Margarita Aaron, to seek immediate medical attention.
Margarita Aaron confirmed to reporters that her husband was intubated on Friday. While doctors are still working to pinpoint the exact cause of the infection, they are running continuous tests. Despite the “day by day” status reported by his medical team, Margarita remains hopeful, describing her husband as “a very strong fighter.”
“After the 911 call, we went to the hospital and the doctors determined to put him on an endotracheal tube because his breathing was a little sporadic,” Margarita explained. “They’re continuing to run tests right now to find out what the root cause of the issue is.” She added that Aaron is currently on “blanket antibiotics to just cover whatever the issue might be with regard to his blood.”
Daily updates reveal “significant progress,” with Aaron showing “little moments where he’s moving his fingers or trying to open his eyes.” Margarita shared a promising interaction from a recent visit, stating, “I did at least get a thumbs up out of him when I chatted with him, which was promising.”
She also noted that Aaron is contributing to his own breathing, which is a positive sign. A bioluminescent MRI is scheduled, expected to provide more definitive answers.
“He’s a fighter; he’s a very strong fighter, and you know, he is making progress day by day, and I believe God’s got him, and he believes God’s got him,” Margarita affirmed.
This recent health scare follows a previous near-death experience that led Aaron to a significant lifestyle transformation. In an earlier interview, Aaron recounted a profound moment in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. While meditating by a waterfront in Mandeville, Louisiana, he passed out and fell into the water.
“I literally woke up underwater,” he recalled, describing how he couldn’t swim and the water, though only three feet deep, felt disorienting. He heard a voice urging him to “Stand up,” and despite hitting his head against rocks in the murky water, he managed to climb out.
Rushed to the hospital, doctors discovered a severe infection in his big toe that had spread to the bone. They also determined that his fall was likely caused by diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication of high blood sugar.
“I almost lost my toe,” Aaron admitted, “but thankfully I didn’t. They just cut a piece of it off, and it had to heal.”
Quinton Aaron gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Michael Oher in the 2009 film “The Blind Side,” which chronicled the true story of Oher, a homeless teenager adopted by a Tennessee family who later went on to play in the NFL. He starred alongside Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw in the blockbuster hit.