The Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, addressed the media on Thursday evening regarding the condition of BJ Thompson, who suffered a cardiac arrest earlier that day. The incident occurred during a special teams meeting, causing the Chiefs to postpone their OTA practice.
Spagnuolo, speaking at a charity softball game hosted by Chiefs players Justin Reid and Trey Smith, shared that Thompson is currently in stable condition at the hospital. He acknowledged that the incident left the team shaken and scared but praised the quick actions of the team’s medical staff, led by head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder.
“Let me say this before I say anything, I’m thinking about BJ right now,” Spagnuolo said, as reported by Fox4KC. “It was scary. I think the guys were a little bit scared, I know I was. But a lot of praying and [head athletic trainer] Rick [Burkholder] and his staff did a terrific job.”
BJ Thompson suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest during a special teams meeting.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spoke about BJ Thompson’s condition.
Spagnuolo, who was not present in the room when the incident occurred, commended the entire training staff for their swift response. He concluded by stating that head coach Andy Reid would provide further updates on Thompson’s condition, which is expected on Friday.
The charity softball game, an annual event organized by Reid and Smith, raised an impressive $200,000 for their respective foundations. The event was well-attended by Chiefs players, including Louis Rees-Zammit, the former Wales rugby international, Drue Tranquill, Jaden Hicks, and Spagnuolo himself.
BJ Thompson, a fifth-round draft pick by the Chiefs in 2023, was part of the team that visited the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl victory.
Thompson, a 25-year-old defensive lineman, was drafted by the Chiefs in 2023 from Stephen F. Austin University in Texas. He has seen limited action on the field, playing in just one game for the Chiefs against the Chargers in January when the team had already secured a playoff spot. Thompson was also part of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning team this year and shared photos from their visit to the White House on his Instagram account.
The Chiefs organization and the entire NFL community are undoubtedly sending their well wishes to Thompson for a full and speedy recovery.
