{"id":584992,"date":"2023-07-30T21:46:39","date_gmt":"2023-07-30T18:46:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/bills-co-owner-kim-pegula-makes-1st-appearance-at-training-camp-since-going-into-cardiac-arrest\/"},"modified":"2023-07-30T21:46:39","modified_gmt":"2023-07-30T18:46:39","slug":"bills-co-owner-kim-pegula-makes-1st-appearance-at-training-camp-since-going-into-cardiac-arrest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/bills-co-owner-kim-pegula-makes-1st-appearance-at-training-camp-since-going-into-cardiac-arrest\/","title":{"rendered":"#Bills co-owner Kim Pegula makes 1st appearance at training camp since going into cardiac arrest"},"content":{"rendered":"
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) \u2014 Buffalo Bills co-owner Kim Pegula watched training camp practice from the front seat of the family\u2019s SUV on Sunday in making an encouraging and surprising first public app<\/a>earance in 14 months since experiencing a debilitating cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n

And there could be more appearances to come, according to 29-year-old daughter Jessica Pegula. The third-ranked player in women\u2019s tennis referred to her mother\u2019s attendance as camp as the latest baby step in her recovery, and a reflection of her desire to be more active.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s kind of the next step for us as a family \u2014 how much this year she wants to be around all the action and the game<\/a>s,\u201d Pegula said in Washington, D.C. where she is preparing to compete in the DC Open, which starts on Monday. \u201cI mean, I know she does, but it\u2019s almost like if we\u2019re ready for that to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kim Pegula could be seen through the side window of the vehicle, which was parked at the foot of the south end zone overlooking the team\u2019s main practice field.<\/p>\n

Remaining in the SUV through the end of practice, she was kept company mostly by her son, Matthew, with her husband Terry Pegula regularly stopping by to chat.<\/p>\n

Pegula was most recently described as still dealing with significant language and memory issues<\/a> after going into cardiac arrest in June 2022 shortly after celebrating her 53rd birthday. She spent extensive time being treated in the hospital before being released to begin what is regarded as a lengthy rehab process.<\/p>\n

Though coach Sean McDermott stopped by to great Kim Pegula before practice, and quarterback Josh Allen met with her after the session, several players were unaware of her presence.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did not see her, but that\u2019s awesome,\u201d safety Jordan Poyer said.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear how many fans were aware of her presence either, as the Bills were unable to make any public address announcements because of a power failure that affected the entire St. John Fisher University campus and much of the surrounding area of Pittsford, New York.<\/p>\n

Though Jessica Pegula had not had a chance to speak with her mom following practice, she received a glowing status report from her father who said, \u201cshe was very happy to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad she\u2019s able to kind of go out and enjoy things more,\u201d Pegula said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a tough year. It\u2019s nice for her and nice for everyone around to just see that she\u2019s doing well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arriving in Buffalo earlier this week, her appearance at the Bills training camp facility in suburban Rochester, New York, also represented a homecoming of sorts for Pegula, who grew up in nearby Fairport.<\/p>\n

From South Korea, Pegula was left orphaned as a child before being adopted at age 5 by Ralph and Marilyn Kerr, who brought her to the U.S.<\/p>\n

She is Pegula\u2019s second wife, after the two met in a town south of Buffalo and were married in 1993. The Pegulas made their fortune in the natural gas industry and returned to western New York by purchasing the NHL\u2019s Buffalo Sabres in 2011 followed by buying the Bills three years later following the death of franchise founder Ralph Wilson.<\/p>\n

Before falling ill, Pegula was actively involved in player matters as well as serving on various NFL committees. She held the title of Bills president before her husband took over the role as part of an executive management shakeup<\/a> two weeks ago.<\/p>\n

Terry Pegula grew emotional last month in referencing his wife during a ground-breaking ceremony<\/a> for the Bills new $1.54 billion stadium, which is being constructed across the street from the team\u2019s current facility and scheduled to open in time for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

While she was not present, Terry said he cheers for her every day, and then cited the Bellamy Brothers\u2019 song \u201cYou\u2019re My Favorite Star,\u201d by saying, \u201cAnd Kim, you are my favorite star.\u201d<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP Tennis Writer Howard Fendrich contributed from Washington.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP NFL: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/nfl<\/a> and https:\/\/twitter.com\/AP_NFL<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n