Kansas City Chiefs defensive end BJ Thompson is “still unconscious” but “stable” following a terrifying medical episode Thursday when he suffered a seizure in a special teams meeting and went into cardiac arrest.
“BJ is still unconscious at this point, but he’s stable and vitals are good. His family asks for your continued prayers,” Thompson’s agent, Chris Turnage, said in a statement Thursday night to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The Chiefs canceled team activities Thursday in the wake of Thompson’s scare, with medical personnel acting swiftly.
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spoke briefly on the matter later in the day when attending a charity softball game.
“Let me say this before I say anything, I’m thinking about BJ right now,” Spagnuolo said, according to Fox 4 KC.
“It was scary. I think the guys were a little bit scared, I know I was. But a lot of praying and [VP of sports medicine and performance] Rick [Burkholder] and his staff did a terrific job.”
Practice will resume Friday and head coach Andy Reid is expected to speak.
A fifth-round pick out of Stephen F. Austin State University (No. 166 overall), the 25-year-old Thompson began his NFL career in 2023 and appeared in one game his rookie year, a Week 18 win over the Chargers.
He recorded two tackles in the 13-12 victory.
Thompson later became a Super Bowl champion when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers in the big game on Feb. 11.
“Super Bowl Champion.. I Like How That Sound,” Thompson wrote on Instagram after the Chiefs knocked off the 49ers in overtime, 25-22.
Thompson and the Chiefs visited the White House last week to celebrate their third Super Bowl victory in five seasons.
“Posted at the White House got me feeling like the president,” he wrote Saturday on Instagram.
The Chiefs open mandatory minicamp next week before the start of training camp later this summer.
The reigning Super Bowl champions will host the Ravens in Week 1 on Sept. 5 as they seek their third straight championship.