Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.

Tony Boselli says his coronavirus hospitalization quickly went from expecting to receive medication to thinking, “I don’t want to die here.”

The former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle spent five days at the Mayo Clinic in the past week, including a few in intensive care before being released on Tuesday.

“It was kind of fuzzy, but I remember [the doctor] saying, ‘If we don’t get your oxygen stabilized, we’re going to have to go to the next level,'” Boselli told ESPN.com. “I remember laying there thinking, ‘What do you mean, if this doesn’t work?’ He says, ‘We don’t know what direction this is going to go.’

“I don’t know if I ever was like I thought I was going to die, but I remember having the conversation with myself: I don’t want to die here.”

A Pro Bowler in five of his seven NFL seasons and a four-time finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the 47-year-old Boselli experienced flu symptoms as early as March 16. He got tested after learning he had been in contact with someone who had contracted COVID-19 and the results came back positive.

Boselli increasingly had trouble breathing as his symptoms worsened and he was sent to the hospital on March 29. He was expecting to be treated with little more than medicine and intravenous fluids, but doctors were concerned over his oxygen levels and admitted him.

Boselli’s wife, Angie, also has tested positive, but her symptoms were considered mild. She self-quarantined at their home but wouldn’t have been able to visit her husband anyway.

“The only people who could come in were health care workers, and they had to be in their full protective equipment,” Boselli said. “They were great, though. Those doctors and PAs and nurses and techs, everyone, they’re amazing. These people were absolutely amazing. Superstars.”

The 6-7 Boselli, whose playing weight was 324 pounds, added that he’s lost about 20 pounds over the past two weeks. He tested negative for the virus on Wednesday and said he’s relieved to be out of the hospital.

“I’m not going to be running any marathons anytime soon,” Boselli said. “It’s been quite a few weeks, but I’m feeling better. I’m home from the hospital, and I’m on the right side of this thing now.”