Former Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons linebacker Robert Lyles is in the fight for his life as he needs a life-saving heart transplant.
The 61-year-old has been in critical condition at Baylor St. Luke’s Hospital since last month, according to a GoFundMe. Randy Carodine, who organized the fundraiser, is seeking $100,000 worth of donations for Lyles.
“The medical staff and other employees have given Robert the most extraordinary care available. However, his medical insurance has expired and did not cover a fraction of the costs,” Carodine wrote. “A heart transplant, as you can imagine, is an astronomical cost. Robert has been through several life-saving procedures thus far. The current life sustaining measures are only temporary. Robert needs a new heart immediately.”
The fifth-round pick of the Oilers in 1984 played in Houston until early in the 1990 season when he moved on to the Falcons.
He ended his career with 623 tackles, 10 sacks, 10 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries in 109 games.
In 2019, the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks hired him to coach the Defensive Line and Special Teams.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
Lyles also served as a head coach in Arena Football League, coaching the Los Angeles Avengers in 2001 and the Georgia Force in 2002. Jones and Lyles also have history together in the CFL. Jones hired Lyles as LB coach in 2018 when he was leading the Ticats.
