Kansas City Chiefs defensive end BJ Thompson’s agent Christ Turnage provided an update on his condition after suffering cardiac arrest at a team meeting Thursday.
The Chiefs had to postpone OTA practice when Thompson suffered a seizure in a special teams meeting and went into cardiac arrest.
After visiting his client, Turnage reported that Thompson is unconscious but in stable condition.
“BJ is still unconscious at this time, but he is stable and his vital signs are good,” Turnage said, according to Tom Pelissero. “Her family asks you to continue praying.”
Pelissero also reported the news of Thompson’s seizure Thursday morning.
BJ Thompson suffered a seizure in a special teams meeting and went into cardiac arrest Thursday.
“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 staff worked quickly, an ambulance was called and the player is currently in stable condition.”
With Thompson in stable condition, the Chiefs moved forward with a charity softball event Thursday night.
Justin Reid and Trey Smith hosted Kansas City’s second annual charity softball game, previously hosted by Márquez Valdés-Scantling, who was traded to the Buffalo Bills this offseason.
While head coach Andy Reid has not yet spoken to the media about the situation, he is expected to do so on Friday. However, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo addressed his player’s condition during Thursday night’s event.
“Let me say this before I say anything, I’m thinking about BJ right now,” Spagnuolo offered before answering reporters’ questions, via Fox4KC.
Thompson, 25, has played once for the Chiefs since being selected in the 2023 draft.
Last week, Thompson was at the White House, where the Chiefs celebrated their Super Bowl victory.
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 was not in the room when it happened, but 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.
Thompson 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.
Thompson was part of the Chiefs team that visited the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl title with President Joe Biden last week. 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.”
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.
Speaking to the media after being drafted by the Chiefs last May, the Arkansas native 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.’
