Tobias Dorzon has lived multiple, incredible lives. But one year ago, he wondered if all of them were over. In a People Magazine interview, he discussed being shot 11 times.

Dorzon played in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tennessee Titans. After retiring, he leaned into his experience as an executive chef and became a Food Network star.

A routine night turned nearly fatal

One November night, Dorzon took his girlfriend, Crystal Swan, to dinner. It was a low-key evening, so he called an Uber and left his security detail behind. After the meal, the couple Ubered back to Dorzon’s home in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Unbeknownst to them, a car followed their Uber. When the ride stopped outside Dorzon’s house, the other car pulled up behind them.

Dorzon got out first and opened Swan’s door. Then, an armed group emerged from the second car and started shooting. “I was trying to cover her and then I started getting hit,” Dorzon said.

They shot Dorzon 11 times. He tried to get away. “I went to the ground and tried to drag myself toward the curb, but I couldn’t hear my girl.”

Dorzon had no clue what the attackers wanted. “You got that last second of almost thinking, are you still going to be here? People walking towards you that just shot you multiple times, what are they coming for? Are they coming to kill you? Are they coming to rob you? You really don’t know the end result. I’m just hoping my kids are good.”

The attackers took Dorzon’s diamond necklace and Audemars Piguet watch. He thought he was done for. “At that point, I’m thinking they’re going to pretty much finish me off.” But they fled.

Dorzon survived the 11 gunshot wounds. After multiple surgeries and physical therapy, he can walk again—and cook again. “I’m just super grateful to be here, to be in the moment, and to still be able to cook and give people an experience.”