Phil Valentine in ''Grave Condition'' Amid COVID-19 Battle

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | 2:11pm CT

Phil Valentine

Cumulus Media's WWTN-FM (99.7 SuperTalk)/Nashville veteran talk host Phil Valentine remains in "grave condition" a month after being hospitalized with COVID-19, his family tells WKRN News 2. In a statement Monday, relatives asked his friends and followers to "pray for a miracle." He was hospitalized in very serious condition with COVID-19 and pneumonia after testing positive on July 11. Days later, relatives said Valentine was placed on a ventilator.

Valentine previously expressed his disagreement with mask mandates on-air, stating that hospitals were never in danger of being overwhelmed by coronavirus patients. He has also been critical of the virus vaccines, voicing his concerns over their safety.

In a statement previously released, his family said, "Phil would like for his listeners to know that while he has never been an 'anti-vaxer' he regrets not being more vehemently 'Pro-Vaccine" and looks forward to being able to more vigorously advocate that position as soon as he is back on the air, which we all hope will be soon. Phil and his family would like for all of you to know that he loves ya'll and appreciates your concern, thoughts and prayers more than you will ever know. Please continue to pray for his recovery and please go get vaccinated!"

Cumulus recently signed Valentine to a long-term contract as host of WWTN-FM's "The Phil Valentine Show." The program debuted over 24 years ago and airs weekdays from 3-7pm on WWTN. In addition to his afternoon show, Valentine works with Cumulus Nashville on a variety of projects, including the development and creation of original content podcasts, and other multimedia projects and events.