A heroic act by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is being praised after he sprang into action to help save the life of a teammate who suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest.
BJ Thompson, a 25-year-old defensive end, experienced the medical emergency during a special teams meeting at the team’s practice facility on Thursday.
According to Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder, it was Butker who quickly alerted the team’s medical staff by rushing out of the room to seek aid for Thompson.
Butker’s swift response proved crucial as team doctors were able to revive Thompson by administering CPR and a single AED shock to restore his heart rhythm.
Thompson went into cardiac arrest and suffered a seizure during a team meeting
Thompson was unconscious when he arrived at the hospital, but his agent provided a positive update, stating that he is now “awake and responsive.”
While the cause of the incident remains unknown, Burkholder expressed optimism, stating that Thompson is “headed in the absolute right direction.”
The Chiefs organization shared their well-wishes for Thompson’s recovery in a tweet, saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with BJ Thompson. Chiefs Kingdom, join us in wishing him a speedy recovery.”
Butker’s courageous act comes after he faced criticism for a speech at Benedictine College, where he shared controversial views on gender roles and criticized President Joe Biden.
