Bum: 'I've had a heckuva ride'

11:31 PM CDT on Saturday, July 16, 2005

By Giff Nielsen / 11 Sports

Click to watch Giff's interview with Bum

As former Houston Oilers Coach Bum Phillips continues his recovery from open heart surgery, he spoke exclusively Firday with his one-time quarterback -- 11 Sports Director Giff Nielsen.

KHOU

"I've had a heckuva ride and I don't intend to give up now," Bum told Giff from his hospital bed.

Phillips, with wife Debbie by his side, said his heart scare has led him to reflect on the last 81 years of his life.

"I really have enjoyed my life, enjoyed the people, enjoyed the people around me -- the players, the fans, everybody," Phillips said. "I've had a heckuva ride and I don't intend to give up now."

Phillips says he was never scared, despite his close call.

"Not really, you know. I don't know, I always felt like I was going to make it," he told Giff. "I didn't know how I was gonna make it right at that time, but I felt like I was gonna make it and I did."

Phillips says he appreciates the community's outpouring of love and support.

Meantime, doctors say Phillips is slowly gaining strength as he recovers from triple bypass surgery at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital.

Phillips had surgery on July 8 and was moved out of the intensive care unit earlier this week. He was released from the hospital on Saturday.