Ex-Jaguars LT Tony Boselli details battle with coronavirus

Ex-Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Tony Boselli had an extremely rough time dealing with the coronavirus. The 47-year-old spent five days in the Mayo Clinic while he fought COVID-19, and about half of his stay was in the ICU.

Boselli was scared he'd die, and he detailed his harrowing experience in the hospital to provide awareness for just how serious this pandemic is.

"It was kind of fuzzy, but I remember [the pulmonologist] saying, 'If we don't get your oxygen stabilized, we're going to have to go to the next level,'" Boselli said, according to ESPN's Michael DiRocco. "I remember laying there thinking, 'What do you mean, if this doesn't work?' He says, 'We don't know what direction this is going to go.'

"I don't know if I ever was like I thought I was going to die, but I remember having the conversation with myself: I don't want to die here."

The Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist said he started feeling sick around March 16, but he didn't realize it was the coronavirus because his symptoms were similar to that of the flu or a cold. When his symptoms started feeling worse that's when he decided to get tested for COVID-19.

Boselli says he's still weak and battling fatigue, but he tested negative for the virus on Wednesday. He said once he gets some of his strength back he'll be lightly working out at home.

"I'm not going to be running any marathons anytime soon," he said. "It's been quite a few weeks, but I'm feeling better. I'm home from the hospital, and I'm on the right side of this thing now."

The five-time Pro Bowler spent seven seasons in Jacksonville from 1995-2001 and was a three-time All-Pro.

While coronavirus sweeps the nation, it seems athletes aren't immune as we've seen many NBA, NHL and MLB players diagnosed with the virus daily.