Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman B.J. Thompson is awake and responsive after suffering a seizure and going into cardiac arrest during a special teams meeting on Thursday, according to his agent Chris Turnage.
Kansas City postponed Thursday’s organized team activities (OTAs) after Thompson was taken in an ambulance to an area hospital.
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. pic.twitter.com/YdjUTJtH3X
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 7, 2024
It’s great news that the prognosis for Thompson is good after the scary incident on Thursday.
A fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Stephen F. Austin State University, Thompson appeared in one game and recorded two tackles for the Chiefs during the 2023 season. He began his collegiate career at Baylor University, playing two seasons for the Bears before transferring to Stephen F. Austin.
Thompson did not appear in a playoff game for the Chiefs on their run to a second straight Super Bowl last season.
At this time, it is unclear if Thompson will be able to return to the field this season for the Chiefs.
This isn’t the first instance in the NFL where a player has suffered a cardiac arrest, although the most recent occurrence was in a game during the 2022 season. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest after taking a hit to the chest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The NFL ended up postponing that game and did not make it up during the regular season. Hamlin, who missed the rest of the 2022 season, returned to the field and played for the Bills during the 2023 season.
For now, the Chiefs are just hoping that Thompson can make a full recovery after Thursday’s incident. The 27-year-old will need to focus on getting healthy before the thought of football is even brought up, especially for this season.
Kansas City has the tough task of continuing on with the rest of its offseason program even though Thompson is not with the squad.
The Chiefs are looking to become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls in the 2024 season. Kansas City defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl in the 2022 season before knocking off the San Francisco 49ers in overtime in the Super Bowl last season.
Hopefully, Thompson continues to improve and more positive updates on his health are shared in the future.
