Kansas City Chiefs player BJ Thompson was released from the hospital four days after suffering cardiac arrest last week.
Defensive lineman Thompson suffered a seizure in a special teams meeting and went into cardiac arrest last Thursday.
The 25-year-old was released from the hospital Monday night after receiving treatment, his agent Chris Turnage told Tom Pelissero.
“The family thanks everyone for their prayers and would like to especially thank the Chiefs medical and training staff for their quick response and professionalism in this situation,” Turnage added.
Thompson will now continue his progress on the road to recovery. Time will tell what this means for Thompson’s career, but Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field when his Buffalo Bills team played the Cincinnati Bengals. He returned to football last season, playing eight times.
BJ Thompson has been released from hospital four days after suffering cardiac arrest
The Chiefs postponed OTA practice last Thursday when Thompson went into cardiac arrest at the team’s practice facility.
Chiefs coach Rick Burkholder said kicker Harrison Butker was the one who ran out of the room to get help for his sick teammate.
Butker “immediately ran to the training room” to notify staff of the situation.
Team doctors were able to restore the 25-year-old defensive end’s heart rhythm using CPR and a single AED shock.
Burkholder said they weren’t sure what caused the situation, but said Thompson is “heading in the absolutely right direction.”
The Chiefs returned to practice Friday after some of their stars participated in a charity softball game 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.
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was the first to speak about Thompson’s condition after his cardiac arrest Thursday.
Thompson, photographed celebrating in Las Vegas when the Chiefs won the Super Bowl this year, suffered a seizure during a special teams meeting before going into cardiac arrest.
Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spoke about his condition Thursday.
Patrick Mahomes (left) and Travis Kelce (right) were seen on the grass when the Chiefs returned to practice 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.
‘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.
