Defensive lineman BJ Thompson was rushed to the hospital on Thursday after suffering a seizure and going into cardiac arrest during a team meeting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice facility. The incident prompted the team to cancel their scheduled organized team activities (OTAs) for the day, with plans to resume on Friday.
Thompson, only 25 years old and a recent fifth-round pick from Stephen F. Austin in the 2023 NFL Draft, is currently in stable condition at a local hospital. Last season, he appeared in one game for the Chiefs, making his mark with two tackles.
#Chiefs DL BJ Thompson is in stable condition after suffering a seizure and going into cardiac arrest during a meeting this morning, per source.
A fifth-round pick in 2023 out of Stephen F. Austin, Thompson appeared in one game as a rookie for the Super Bowl champs. https://t.co/aGTzMF7F7H
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 6, 2024
According to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, the medical emergency unfolded during a special teams meeting Thursday morning where Thompson suddenly collapsed. The team’s medical staff responded swiftly, managing the situation until an ambulance arrived to transport Thompson to the hospital.
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Following the incident, the Chiefs opted to send players home rather than continue with the day's activities. The cancellation also led to the postponement of media engagements with head coach Andy Reid and several players, which have been rescheduled for the following day.
The Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions, are in the midst of their voluntary offseason program. This comes just before their mandatory minicamp, set to start on June 11.
Thompson eerily echoes the widely publicized incident involving Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who also suffered a cardiac arrest. In January 2023, Hamlin's emergency occurred during a televised Monday Night Football game when he collapsed after receiving a blow to the chest—a condition known as commotio cordis, which disrupts the heart's rhythm.
Hamlin's situation highlighted the critical importance of immediate and effective emergency medical responses in sports settings. His treatment on the field involved CPR and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), which were crucial in saving his life. Since then, there has been a significant increase in awareness about the potential life-saving roles of CPR and AEDs.
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