Chuck Pagano on Fox, Kubiak health scares

This last week saw health scares to two NFL head coaches: Denver Broncos coach John Fox and Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak.

News of both coaches health concerns hit hard with Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, who was dealing with health concerns of his own about this time last season.

According to ESPN, Pagano has contacted both coaches and have told them that his team is praying for both of them. Pagano certainly has a unique perspective, having missed the last 12 games of last season on medical leave to battle leukemia:

Hopefully they get things taken care of and get their health back. We’re lucky. We’re playing a kid’s game. Our players are playing a kid’s game, but real life is real life. If you don’t have your health, you really don’t have nothing.

I feel very fortunate, obviously to have behind me what I went through. But the game is the game. When it comes to a guy’s health and those things those guys are dealing with now is not easy. This game could be hard on you as we know.

Fox had surgery today to replace a heart valve. It is unknown how much time he will miss, but he will likely need at least four-to-six weeks to recover.

Kubiak collapsed to his knees during halftime in last Sunday’s game against Pagano’s Colts. He was immediately taken to the hospital and is being tested for a stroke. The timetable for his return is also unknown. ESPN is also reporting that Kubiak’s departure Sunday definitely impacted  the Houston players.

“It’s got to affect you,” Pagano said. “It’s hard. A tough, tough situation.”