The Rev. Jesse Jackson was one of the many people to visit NBA star Lamar Odom on Wednesday after news broke that he had been hospitalized for what doctors believe is a drug overdose, Fox Sports reported. After meeting with Odom's estranged wife, reality star Khloé Kardashian, Jackson addressed the press in an impromptu press conference outside of the Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. But his words of hope were the cause of many conflicting reports.
"Khloé is by his side," Jackson told the Associated Press. "He is unconscious but apparently the doctors say he's recovering. I don't know how long it will take, he is in a very difficult situation and we can only at this time pray for his recovery."
"We're just holding hands and hoping he will bounce back," Jackson continued. "Apparently the doctor felt he was much better off today than yesterday, at least there's some responsiveness now. Yesterday he was probably almost totally unresponsive and now there are signs of responsiveness and to that extent, that's good news."
Jackson's comment about Odom's responsiveness seems to corroborate with two reports that both Khloé and her sister Kim Kardashian-West claimed they felt Odom squeeze their hands, as previously reported by HNGN. But doctors have said that it may have been an involuntary movement on Odom's behalf. Odom still remains on life support and is in critical condition.
Still Jackson had some words of encouragement for Odom, who is a two-time NBA champion and winner of the 2011 Sixth Man of the Year award, as well as a father of two young children from a previous relationship.
"We felt inspired by his presence, we just had prayer," Jackson said. "Know that we get knocked down sometimes, we get back up again. The ground is no place for a champion, champions rise and we hope that he will somehow garner that championship spirit and rise again."
Watch Jackson's full Associated Press intervew below.
