The Kansas City Chiefs had to postpone OTA practice Thursday when defensive lineman BJ Thompson suffered a seizure in a special teams meeting and went into cardiac arrest.
According to NFL network reporter Tom Pelissero, Thompson is now in stable condition in the hospital.
“The Chiefs canceled all team activities today after a backup defensive lineman suffered a seizure in a special teams meeting and went into cardiac arrest, according to sources,” Pelissero wrote in X.
The team’s medical services acted quickly, an ambulance was called and the player is currently stable.
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.
BJ Thompson suffered a seizure in a special teams meeting and went into cardiac arrest Thursday.
Thompson, 25, has played once for the Chiefs since being selected in the 2023 draft.
The Chiefs canceled Thursday’s practice after Thompson was hospitalized, where he is in stable condition.
Speaking to the media last May after being drafted by the Chiefs, Thompson said, “I just want to perform for my city and show them that anything is possible, no matter where you come from.” I hope I’m achieving it.
“My friends and I had NFL and NBA dreams and goals, but over time, dreams die out and people have other plans.
“For me, it was never like that; I always had it in the back of my head that I was going to play professional sports and I was lucky enough to make it happen.”
According to The Athletic, the Chiefs will practice on Friday. The team was contacted for comment, but the media availability that had been scheduled with coach Andy Reid is now canceled.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been guiding his players through OTAs this week, with the team beginning preparations ahead of their chance at an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl title in the new season. .
Reid’s team has practiced this week ahead of a mandatory minicamp next week, June 11-13, where Mahomes will again team up with Travis Kelce.
OTAs often see teams conduct drills without physical contact.
The Chiefs open the new three-month NFL season today, with a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, September 5.
The Chiefs won the Super Bowl last season by beating the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas.
The year before, they beat the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis emerged victorious over his brother Jason.