David Ortiz Tears Up in First Interview Since Being Shot in Dominican Republic: 'I Almost Died'

David Ortizis opening up about his recovery, months after beingshot in the Dominican Republic. In his first interview since the incident, Ortiz, 43, emotionally recalled details of the night he was shot and explained the difficulties he’s faced during his recovery. The former MLB star was shot in the back at a nightclub in his hometown in the Dominican Republic on June 9. “When the bullet hit me, the first thing I felt was like a sting,” Ortiz explained.

David Ortiz Thanks Doctors, Nurses After Recovery from Being Shot: 'Some of the Best Teammates'

Days after beingreleased from Massachusetts General Hospital,David Ortizis thanking the team of doctors, nurses, and caregivers who helped him recover afterhe was shot at a nightclubin his native Dominican Republic. “They are some of the best teammates I have ever had,” Ortiz, 43, said in the statement. Ortiz also thanked fans for “the prayers and good wishes from the Dominican Republic and Red Sox Nation.” According to the statement, the athlete will spend the next few weeks focusing on his recovery.

David Ortiz Was Allegedly Targeted by Drug Kingpin César 'The Abuser' Peralta in 2019 Shooting: Report

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Saturday’s report states that the Major League Baseball star and Peralta crossed paths “multiple times” before the 2019 shooting in Ortiz’s native Dominican Republic. Ortiz survived the shooting, though he required emergency surgery in wake of the attack. He underwent multiple surgeries afterward, at least one of whichaddressed complicationsresulting from his gunshot wound. The former Red Sox star said in a phone call withThe Globefrom the Dominican Republic that he was “sad, confused, angry, all kinds of emotions” when Davis, whom he hired to conduct the investigation into his shooting, informed him of the news (Ortiz also hired Ric Prado, a former high-ranking CIA official, to take part in the investigation).

David Ortiz's Wife Tiffany Thanks Friend for His 'Heroism' After Husband Was Shot

David Ortiz‘s wife, Tiffany Ortiz, is thanking the man whom she is crediting with saving her husband’s life following hisshooting and subsequent hospitalizationon Sunday. In a Twitter message, the Boston Red Sox issued a statement on behalf of Tiffany, 45, who has been married to the MLB All Star since 2002. “I want to take this opportunity to offer our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Eliezer Salvador, owner of Presidente Sports, for your quick thinking and swift action on Sunday night,” the statement began.

David Oyelowo Fears Will Smith Oscars Incident Will Have 'Negative Effect' on 'Push for Inclusion'

Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty David Oyelowois sharing his thoughts on the incident at theOscarsinvolvingWill SmithandChris Rock, reflecting on race and equality. TheSelmastar, 46, wrote a guest column inThe Hollywood Reporteron Thursday, in which he discussed his reaction toSmith smacking Rock, which he witnessed in person as an attendee of the Academy Awards ceremony on March 27. For more on Will Smith, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day. “An older white gentleman sidled up to me with relish in his demeanor and said, ‘He should have been dragged right out of there,’ " Oyelowo wrote, in reference to Smith.