In a startling turn of events, the Kansas City Chiefs put a halt to team activities on Thursday following a serious medical emergency involving one of their players. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that defensive lineman BJ Thompson suffered a seizure during a special teams meeting and subsequently went into cardiac arrest.
Thompson, a newcomer who was drafted in the fifth round from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2023, is now reported to be in stable condition. The 25-year-old athlete had a modest rookie season with the reigning Super Bowl champions, recording two tackles in a crucial Week 18 victory against the Chargers.
The Chiefs’ medical team responded with urgency to Thompson’s health crisis, ensuring immediate care.
While head coach Andy Reid and several players were scheduled to address the media on Thursday, their press appearances have been postponed to Friday, as detailed on NFL.com.
The incident comes just after Thompson celebrated a Super Bowl victory with the Chiefs in February, following an intense overtime game against the 49ers. He recently made a trip to the White House with his teammates, an experience he commemorated on Instagram with a playful post, stating, “Posted at the White House got me feeling like the president.”
Upon being selected by the Chiefs as the No. 166 overall pick in April 2023, an exhilarated Thompson shared his enthusiasm on social media, stating, “Turning Dreams To Reality.”
Looking ahead, the Chiefs are set to begin their mandatory minicamp next Tuesday, which will be followed by their summer training camp.
The team is slated to kick off the regular season at home on September 5, facing the Baltimore Ravens in a much-anticipated AFC Championship rematch.
As they prepare for the upcoming season, the Chiefs are eyeing their third consecutive Super Bowl title.