'Humbled' Fabrice Muamba thanks medical staff during honorary doctorate acceptance at Bolton university

DOCTORATE: Muamba given award

By Dean Wilkins

A humble Fabrice Muamba expressed gratitude towards doctors who saved his life while accepting an honorary university award in Bolton today.

The Wanderers player miraculously survived the cardiac arrest he suffered during an FA Cup tie against Tottenham and was given a doctorate by the University of Bolton.

The 24-year-old’s heart stopped for 78 minutes and somehow medical staff managed to revive the father-of-one.

Accepting the award Muamba said: "I would like to thank the University of Bolton for this award of an Honorary Doctorate.

“I am very humbled to accept it on behalf of all the amazing men and women who combined to save my life, the paramedics and medical teams of Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham, ambulance personnel, and of course the consultants, doctors and nurses at The London Chest Hospital, my family and I owe them all so much."

Despite recovering in just four weeks, the midfielder said he may not be able to resume his professional career.

"I'm getting stronger every day. I'm far away from being back on the football pitch," he said.

"I really, really hope, by the grace of God, that I'll be back on the pitch but I'm just grateful to the university for this doctorate and I receive it on behalf of everybody who helped me to survive the cardiac arrest."

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