Chiefs’ Harrison Butker Alerted Medical Staff to BJ Thompson’s Cardiac Arrest

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s quick reaction was crucial in bringing medical aid to defensive end BJ Thompson, who experienced a seizure and cardiac arrest during a team meeting.

BJ Thompson #53 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes the edge during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on January 7, 2024, in Inglewood, California. (Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Head trainer Rick Burkholder reported that Harrison Butker was the first to run from the meeting room to locate the team’s medical assistants and bring them to Thompson’s side, helping stabilize him before city first responders arrived.

“We were in a meeting,” Burkholder stated during a team press conference, “and then he went into cardiac arrest.”

“With BJ, when he had this seizure, Butker immediately ran towards the training room, and grabbed Julie Frymyer and David Glover and then grabbed me.” They entered the room to use defibrillators and other life-saving techniques to stabilize Thompson.

Burkholder mentioned that they got Thompson onto the floor during his seizure, but he then went into cardiac arrest. He remained in that condition for only about a minute to a minute and a half before the medical team revived him. The Kansas City Fire Dept. shortly arrived and transported Thompson to the hospital.

The Chiefs’ trainer added that Thompson was kept heavily sedated and in an induced coma overnight. By Friday afternoon, he was awake and aware and was “absolutely headed in the right direction.”

Many on social media noted that critics would be displeased that Butker acted decisively to secure the potentially life-saving care Thompson needed.