On the final day of OTAs, the Kansas City Chiefs had positive news to share about BJ Thompson following his medical emergency on Thursday.
But if there was ever a time for such a horrific event to occur, it came at a time when the Chiefs had recently instructed their staff on the proper emergency procedure in the event of such an incident.
Following an NFL mandate, the Chiefs practiced their emergency action plan for medical personnel on Monday. He did it with a company called Sports Medicine Emergency Management, which helped team trainers practice scenarios like Thompson’s seizure.
According to the team, all medical trainers and team doctors helped keep Thompson alive.
“We tried to stabilize BJ and then put him on the ground while he was still having seizures and then he went into cardiac arrest,” Burkholder said. ‘Our team from that group of people provided CPR. He got a shock from the AED and came back, so he was only in cardiac arrest for probably less than a minute, minute and a half.
Chiefs coaches held emergency action plan drill days before BJ Thompson’s cardiac arrest
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid: “If it were to happen, there’s no better place than here”
‘Our players, our security staff, everyone involved, the coaching staff, were phenomenal in handling the crisis. We then handed it over to the firefighters and paramedics. Those paramedics do those practice sessions with us, so there was some familiarity with those guys.
Head coach Andy Reid says he was present throughout the entire process and let the professionals do their job.
‘That’s a difficult situation. We’ve been through a couple of those before in my time and it’s never, ever fun,” Reid said. ‘Thank goodness. I mean, if it were to happen, there’s no better place than here, where you have a support unit that knows to do.
The Chiefs were informed about Thompson’s status throughout the process.
Safety Justin Reid was at the meeting where the incident occurred and praised the coaches and medical staff.
“You have to give credit to our training room and that sense of urgency and how quickly they can come in and be quick for BJ,” Reid said.
“It’s phenomenal news that we’ve received: that he’s better and he’s stable today.” Really credit to our staff for being on this. And we are very fortunate to have them here to take care of him and make sure he is okay.”
Reid also saw kicker Harrison Butker spring into action to run out of the huddle and alert the coaches.
Thompson’s agent and the team say the defensive end is now awake and alert.
Harrison is that guy. I mean, he loves us all. And you know, we are a family. This is much deeper than just football. We support each other and, in a time like that, you just have to take action. Harrison did that and the trainers moved very quickly to rescue BJ and helped make it happen. ‘
“I’m glad to see he’s doing well,” defensive end George Karlaftis said. ‘When you have a guy going down like that, you know, you never want that for anyone.
“It’s difficult, but I will say this: We are lucky to have such good teammates and athletic trainers who helped him and were capable and ready for that situation.” I hope and pray for a speedy recovery for BJ.”
The Chiefs canceled their practice after the incident. His condition was stabilized at the hospital and both the team and Thompson’s agent said he was awake and alert Friday.