Kansas City Chiefs player BJ Thompson has learned his fate for the upcoming NFL season, just months after suffering a cardiac arrest. The reigning Super Bowl champions will kick off their campaign for an unprecedented ‘three-peat’ against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5, but Thompson will not be on the field.
The linebacker, who was hospitalized in June, will begin the 2024 season on the non-football illness list, according to reports. Thompson will miss the first four games, which see the Chiefs take on the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, and LA Chargers after the opening AFC Championship rematch against Baltimore.
However, it is believed that there is hope that Thompson will return to the field to play at some point this season. The defensive lineman had a seizure in a special teams meeting and went into cardiac arrest in June. The Chiefs postponed OTA practice when Thompson went into cardiac arrest at the team’s practice facility.
Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder said kicker Harrison Butker was the one who raced out of the room to get aid for his ailing teammate. Butker ‘immediately ran toward the training room’ in order to notify staffers of the situation. Team doctors were able to get the 25-year-old defensive end’s heart back in rhythm using CPR and a single AED shock.
Burkholder said they were not sure what caused the situation, but said at the time that Thompson was ‘headed in the absolute right direction’. Thompson was released from hospital just four days after the incident and days later attended the Chiefs’ Super Bowl ring ceremony.
Kansas City Chiefs player BJ Thompson has learnt his fate for the upcoming NFL season
Thompson, pictured celebrating in Las Vegas when the Chiefs won the Super Bowl this year, had a seizure during a special teams meeting before going into cardiac arrest in June
Time will tell how Thompson’s season will play out, but he could look to Damar Hamlin for hope. Hamlin had a cardiac arrest on the field when his Buffalo Bills team played the Cincinnati Bengals. He returned to the game last season, playing eight times.
The defensive lineman was seen smiling on the red carpet at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl ring ceremony, which was also attended by Kansas City stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes.
Thompson donned a light blue suit and tie with a fedora as he flashed his reward from the Chiefs’ 25-22 win over the 49ers in a video he shared to Instagram.
For now, Thompson will have to watch from the sidelines as the Chiefs begin their quest for a third consecutive Super Bowl title.
Kansas City Chiefs player BJ Thompson, who suffered cardiac arrest just two months ago, has NFL status for 2024 season revealed
