BJ Thompson makes surprise appearance at Chiefs' ring ceremony days after suffering cardiac arrest
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: BJ Thompson surprised his fans by participating in the Kansas City Chiefs’ ring ceremony on Thursday, June 13.
His supporters were thrilled to see their star recovering well after surviving a major cardiac arrest. Thompson was at a team meeting on June 6 when he suffered from a medical emergency.
Thompson, who was picked in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, came in to celebrate their Super Bowl victory in February and as the team against 58 rings.
BJ Thompson's recent medical emergency
The team’s personnel immediately performed CPR and Thompson was transported to a local hospital.
The 25-year-old was discharged from the hospital on June 10 after spending four days under supervision, according to People.
Previously, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, via Thompson’s agent, tweeted, "A positive update: #Chiefs DE BJ Thompson is awake and responsive, according to his agent, Chris Turnage."
"One day after Thompson suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest during a special teams meeting, the second-year pro’s prognosis is good," he added.
Great to see BJ Thompson is out of the hospital and at tonight’s ring ceremony! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WvSWwjtKCJ
— Sports Radio 810 WHB (@SportsRadio810) June 14, 2024
In his previous statement, Pelissero shared that the NFL team's medical staff "immediately" responded to the emergency when Thompson began seizing during a "special teams meeting" on Thursday, June 13.
A positive update: #Chiefs DE BJ Thompson is awake and responsive, according to his agent, Chris Turnage.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 7, 2024
One day after Thompson suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest during a special teams meeting, the second-year pro’s prognosis is good. pic.twitter.com/YdjUTJtH3X
Harrison Butker to the rescue
The Chiefs Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance Rick Burkholder said, "When he had the seizure, Harrison Butker immediately ran towards the training room" and grabbed additional assistance from team staff.
"As a team, we tried to stabilize BJ and then put him on the floor while he was still seizing and then he went into cardiac arrest," he added.
Chiefs safety Justin Reid also talked about Butker’s proactiveness saying, "Harrison's that guy, he loves all of us and we're a family.”
"This is so much deeper than just football. We root for each other and in a moment like that you just have to call yourself into action and Harrison did that," Reid added.
Coach Andy Reid also appreciated the medical team as he commented, "They had it under control." Butker was in the news for making a controversial commencement at Benedictine College's graduation ceremony on May 11.
