Chiefs DL out of hospital after cardiac arrest
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman BJ Thompson has been released from the hospital after he went into cardiac arrest last week, his agent told NFL Network on Monday night.
Thompson, 25, suffered seizures and went into cardiac arrest Thursday while in a special teams meeting at the Chiefs’ practice facility. Thompson was sedated Thursday and through the night and was on a ventilator overnight to help with breathing. He regained consciousness Friday and was removed from the ventilator.
“The family thanks everyone for their prayers and wants to especially thank the Chiefs medical and training staff for their rapid response and professionalism throughout this situation,” agent Chris Turnage said in a statement provided to NFL Network.
Rick Burkholder, the Chiefs’ vice president of sports medicine and performance, said last Friday that kicker Harrison Butker left the meeting Thursday to alert the team’s medical personnel of Thompson’s situation. He said Thompson was initially treated by athletic trainers and a team doctor until fire department personnel arrived.
Thompson was in cardiac arrest for a minute to a minute and a half, Burkholder said, before he was transported to a local hospital. He said
Thompson was selected by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2023 draft out of Stephen F. Austin. He played in one game as a rookie, registering two tackles.
ESPN’s Adam Teicher contributed to this report.
