The Kansas City Chiefs organization is breathing a collective sigh of relief after defensive lineman BJ Thompson suffered a seizure and cardiac arrest during a team meeting on Thursday. The 25-year-old athlete is now “awake and alert,” according to his agent, Chris Turnage, following the swift actions of teammates and staff members who provided emergency care.
When Thompson began seizing during a special teams meeting, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker wasted no time in alerting the team’s athletic training staff. A nearby medical office allowed a doctor to quickly join the efforts to stabilize Thompson, who had gone into cardiac arrest.
Rick Burkholder, the Chiefs’ vice president of sports medicine and performance, credited the team’s preparedness and the NFL’s mandate for practicing emergency action plans in the successful response to Thompson’s crisis. The young player was in cardiac arrest for less than a minute and a half before being revived with a single shock from an automated external defibrillator (AED).
After being transported to the University of Kansas Health System, Thompson was heavily sedated and placed on a ventilator overnight to assist with his breathing. He was brought out of sedation on Friday morning and is now on the road to recovery.
Head Coach Andy Reid, no stranger to difficult situations like this, expressed gratitude for the team’s support unit and their ability to handle the emergency effectively. All team activities were canceled on Thursday as a result of the incident, with Reid offering support to those who needed it.
Teammates, such as defensive end George Karlaftis, have rallied around Thompson, expressing their concern and hopes for his speedy recovery. The 2023 fifth-round pick, who appeared in one game during his rookie season, is now the focus of the Chiefs organization as they come together to support him during this challenging time.
As Thompson continues to recover, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and the strength of the Chiefs’ support system in the face of adversity.
