Chiefs’ BJ Thompson alerted and speaks to doctors after suffering cardiac arrest

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end BJ Thompson talks to doctors.

Chris Turnage, Thompson’s agent, told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Friday that his client was “awake and responsive.”

“BJ is awake. He’s responsive,” Turnage said. “He’s talking right now. The doctors are optimistic right now, so there’s reason for optimism.”

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Sunday sport Center that Thompson could be released as early as Monday or Tuesday:

“I just spoke with Thompson’s agent Chris Turnage this morning, who is with him in Kansas City. He said not only is he awake and alert, but he’s talking to the doctors and having discussions. He could be out of the hospital as early as Monday or Tuesday, so this is great news for Thompson and the Chiefs.”

Rick Burkholder, the Chiefs’ vice president of sports medicine and performance, told reporters that Thompson was experiencing seizures during a meeting with the special forces unit on Thursday. Kicker Harrison Butker alerted coaches Julie Frymyer and David Glover to the impending emergency. A team doctor from an adjacent health facility also attended to the 25-year-old before emergency responders arrived.

Burkholder said Thompson suffered a cardiac arrest that lasted up to a minute and a half.

“The NFL mandates that we have to implement these contingency plans,” he said. “Every team in the league is required to do so — home, away and at the practice facility. We are required to practice these plans several times a year. Ironically, we practiced on Monday.”

The Chiefs selected Thompson in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He played in the final game of the regular season, a 13-12 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18.

Kansas City’s mandatory minicamp begins Tuesday and runs through Thursday, with training camp following in late July.