Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson has been hospitalized after sustaining burns to his arms and legs in a house fire early Friday morning.
Authorities say the fire broke out in Wilson's home in Seven Fields, a northern Pittsburgh suburb. Firefighters told borough manager Tom Smith the blaze started in the kitchen and Wilson suffered "moderate to severe" burns.
WPXI in Pittsburgh reported that neighbors were awakened by police and firefighters responding to the blaze at about 2:45 a.m. and that firefighters removed Wilson from the house.
Wilson, 50, was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment. His condition was not immediately known, but the injuries were not thought to be life-threatening. He will not travel with the team for its AFC wild-card playoff game at Denver on Sunday.
"First and foremost our thoughts and prayers are with Kirby and his entire family," Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. "We are saddened to hear about this unfortunate situation, but we know that he has the best medical care in the country treating him. The entire organization is praying for Kirby to have a full recovery and we will be by his side through this difficult time.
Wilson is in his fifth season as the Steelers' running backs coach. A native of Los Angeles, he played running back and wide receiver at Illinois before playing briefly in the Canadian Football League. He made previous NFL coaching stops in New England, Washington, Arizona and Tampa Bay before joining the Steelers when Mike Tomlin was hired as head coach in 2007.
The Asssociated Press contributed to this report.
