John Fox, the coach of the Denver Broncos was hospitalized recently after a golf outing near Charlotte, North Carolina. He was suffereing chest pains, and was forced to undergo heart surgery earlier this week.

The Broncos coach is certainly eager to return to his team, but his health is the most important thing right now, and he will not be returning to coaching duties for their game on Sunday.

Fox plans to watch them play the San Diego Chargers on television, and will remain in North Carolina until he is fully healed, and ready to return to the sideline. The doctors at Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute in Charlotte, N.C. replaced his aortic valve, an operation that he knew he needed, but was hoping to wait until the end of the season.

John Fox has a very supportive group back home, and the coach certainly feels the love, saying “The encouragement I’ve received from Robin and my family, friends, the Denver Broncos, fans and so many around the NFL has been incredible. I am truly thankful for every single thought and prayer that was directed my way.”

He says that he is progressing well, and hopes to be back home in Denver soon, but will have to continue recovering before he can return. Jack Del Rio has filled in as the interim coach until John Fox can return. He will remain in Charlotte during his recovery, and watch Sunday’s game from there. He is likely to be out for another month following the surgery, but the fact that he does not need to be kept under constant watch be doctors any longer is encouraging.

In addition to Fox’s heart condition, Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak collapsed during their game on Sunday against the Colts.

My thoughts and prayers w/ John Fox of the Broncos and Gary Kubiak of the Texans. An unfortunate reminder of what really matters. #itsagame

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 4, 2013

#Broncos head coach John Fox was released from the hospital, 4 days after having heart surgery. #NFL

— Deb Carson (@DebCarson) November 9, 2013

Also stop by the Chinook Tavern and sign a get well card for John Fox during the @JohnFoxShow at 630 pic.twitter.com/UVVAUK24t6

— Jeff Howe (@sportsdenver) November 8, 2013

The Denver Broncos have already had an incredibly successful season with their quarterback Peyton Manning, and will look to make a deep run in the playoffs, as the season comes to close. In fact, Manning had the best start of any quarterback in the history of the NFL.

John Fox has been released from the hospital, but will have to wait several weeks before returning to the sideline, as he continues to recover in Charlotte.

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