AIKEN, S.C., April 22 (UPI) -- Former Chicago Bears defensive back William "The Refrigerator" Perry is reported in serious condition at a hospital near his home in Aiken, S.C.

Perry, 46, was diagnosed last June with Guillain-Barre syndrome, an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday.


At the time, Perry spent six months in the hospital because of complications related to the illness.

His agent, Adam Plotkin, says Perry developed chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, which is a cousin of Guillan-Barre.

"He is improving every day and they hope he is released in a week or two," says Plotkin.

Perry played 10 seasons in the NFL, eight of them with the Chicago Bears and two with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He earned the nickname "The Refrigerator" for his 6-foot-2, 350-pound frame.