Chiefs share update on BJ Thompson following seizure in team meeting

Jan 7, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end BJ Thompson (53) looks on during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end BJ Thompson is on the road to recovery following a frightening incident at the team facility on Thursday.

The Chiefs canceled practice on Thursday after Thompson, a second-year reserve player, suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest during a team meeting. Thompson was transported to a local hospital, where he stayed overnight.

On Friday, Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder shared some more information about the situation. Burkholder said Thompson began having a seizure during a team meeting, at which point kicker Harrison Butler ran to the training room for help. Thompson went into cardiac arrest as the Chiefs’ medical personnel were tending to him. Successful CPR was then administered.

Burkholder told reporters that Thompson was in cardiac arrest for less than two minutes. He was then turned over to local paramedics and transported to a hospital, where he was sedated and put on a ventilator overnight. Burkholder said Thompson was brought out of sedation on Friday and is doing as well as expected, though there is no information yet on what caused the seizure.

“He’s alert. He’s awake. He’s coming through quite well. … He’s headed in the absolute right direction,” Burkholder said.

#Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder told reporters that Harrison Butker ran to the training room to get trainers after BJ Thompson suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest on Thursday.

Thompson was brought out of sedation this morning. He is alert, awake, and recovering… pic.twitter.com/cZ2wSbONHi

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 7, 2024

The Chiefs, who are still in the voluntary portion of their offseason program, resumed practice on Friday.

Thompson was drafted by Kansas City in the fifth round in 2023. He played for Stephen F. Austin for four seasons after transferring there from Baylor. The 25-year-old appeared in one game as a rookie last year and had 2 solo tackles.