The Kansas City Chiefs had to abruptly cancel their scheduled OTA practice on Thursday due to a medical emergency involving defensive lineman BJ Thompson.
Thompson experienced a seizure during a special teams meeting and subsequently went into cardiac arrest.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the team’s medical staff responded swiftly, summoning an ambulance to the scene. Thompson, 25, is now in stable condition in the hospital. “The Chiefs canceled all team activities today after a backup defensive lineman had a seizure in a special teams meeting and went into cardiac arrest, per sources,” Pelissero shared on X.
Thompson, a fifth-round draft pick by the Chiefs in 2023 from Stephen F. Austin University in Texas, has appeared in one NFL game. He played against the Chargers in January, a match the Chiefs approached with a playoff berth already secured, resting stars like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
Recently, Thompson was among the Chiefs players who visited the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl victory with President Biden. He reflected humorously on the experience on his Instagram, posting photos with the caption, “got me feeling like the president.”
Thompson, originally from Arkansas, expressed his motivation and dreams during a media session last May. “I just want to put on for my town and show them that anything is possible, no matter where you come from. Hopefully, I am accomplishing that,” he said. “For me, it never really did. I always had in the back of my head I was going to play professional sports and I was blessed enough to make it happen.”
The Athletic reports that the Chiefs are scheduled to resume practice on Friday. However, a media session with coach Andy Reid has been canceled in light of recent events.
As the team gears up for a chance at an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title, OTAs continue under the leadership of Mahomes, with a mandatory minicamp set for June 11-13, where Kelce will rejoin the team.
The Chiefs are set to open the new NFL season against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, September 5. Their recent victories in the Super Bowl, first against the San Francisco 49ers and then the Philadelphia Eagles, have marked them as a dominant force in the league.
