Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spoke about BJ Thompson’s condition after the defensive lineman suffered cardiac arrest on Thursday.
The Chiefs had to postpone OTA practice that same day when Thompson, 25, suffered a seizure in a special teams meeting and went into cardiac arrest.
Thompson is now said to be in stable condition in the hospital, and Spagnuolo broke the team’s silence on the incident during a charity softball game hosted by Chiefs stars Justin Reid and Trey Smith on Thursday night.
The defensive coordinator admitted the incident left the team shaken, before insisting that head coach Andy Reid will provide an official update later. Reid is expected to speak on the matter on Friday.
“Let me say this before I say anything, I’m thinking about BJ right now,” Spagnuolo offered before answering reporters’ questions, via Fox4KC.
BJ Thompson suffered a seizure in a special teams meeting and went into cardiac arrest Thursday.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spoke about his condition
‘It was terrifying. I think the guys were a little scared, I know. But a lot of prayers and (head athletic trainer) Rick (Burkholder) and his staff did a fantastic job.’
He added that he wasn’t in the room when it happened because it took place during a special teams meeting, but he praised the staff who stepped in to help.
“But everyone you meet, from a man to a person to a woman, because we have some female trainers, they were fantastic, they did a great job.” So we’ll keep our fingers crossed. I’ll let Andy handle the rest.
Spagnuolo spoke at Kansas City’s second annual charity softball game, organized by Reid and Smith after Márquez Valdés-Scantling, who initially organized it, was traded to the Buffalo Bills this offseason.
His Chiefs teammates showed up at Legends Field, where the Kansas City Monarchs play, to show their support.
Players including former Wales rugby international Louis Rees-Zammit, Drue Tranquill, Jaden Hicks and Spagnuolo turned out for the attack vs defense event.
Chiefs stars Justin Reid and Trey Smith continued their softball charity event on Thursday.
Thompson was photographed celebrating in Las Vegas when the Chiefs won the Super Bowl this year.
That night it was announced that $200,000 had been raised and the proceeds would go to Reid and Smith’s respective foundations.
The charity event came after the team was forced to cancel its Thursday practice session following the Thompson scare. According to The Athletic, the Chiefs will practice on Friday.
Thompson, 25, was a fifth-round pick of the Chiefs in 2023 out of Stephen F. Austin University in Texas. He played once for the team, against the Chargers in January, the final game of the regular season. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce missed that game, with a playoff berth already secured.
Last week, Thompson was part of the Chiefs team that visited the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl title with President Biden. He shared several photos from the visit on his Instagram account and joked in the caption that the trip “made me feel like the president.”
