Hawthorn coach and club legend Sam Mitchell spent Christmas in a New York hospital after contracting pneumonia.
The revelation was made public by 9News on Tuesday after being confirmed by the Hawks.
Mitchell, 41, was holidaying in New York with wife Lyndall and their three kids when he became ill, and deteriorated to the point he was hospitalised.
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It was there they discovered the severity of his condition.
"Importantly, Sam is improving and recovering well," Hawks CEO Ash Klein told 9News.
"The club has been in regular contact with Lyndall and we will obviously continue to provide support in any way we can.
"We would like to express our thanks to NYU hospital and its medial team for their care and support."
Mitchell is expected to remain in hospital as long as the rest of this week.
The tough onballer won four premierships with the Hawks during a playing career that spanned 15 years and more than 300 AFL games.
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