Harrison Butker Is Being Hailed A “Hero” For Helping Chiefs’ Teammate Who Suffered Cardiac Arrest At Practice

Harrison Butker of Kansas City Chiefs looking on.Harrison Butker (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is being hailed a “hero” for coming to the aid of teammate BJ Thompson during a serious medical scare at practice on Thursday.

The 25-year-old BJ Thompson suffered cardiac arrest and a seizure during team practice. He was taken to the hospital and listed in stable condition, and agent Chris Turnage stated that he’s “awake and responsive” today, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. And Harrison Butker is credited with providing the necessary help for his teammate right away.

Speaking to reporters, Chiefs head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder stated that Butker was the one who quickly alerted team trainers to come and provide medical attention to the second-year defensive end:

Burkholder stated there is no diagnosis yet on the health matter, but he’s “coming along quite well” and “heading into the absolute right direction.”

Fans are crediting Harrison Butker for being a hero and playing a significant role in helping Thompson quickly receive medical treatment:

Harrison Butker made headlines last month when he made homophobic, antisemitic, misogynistic and sexist comments during his commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.

Fans called for the Chiefs to release Butker, who later stated that he stood by his comments and refused to apologize. Teammate Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid defended Butker, with the former saying he’s a “good person, though he didn’t agree with some of the things that were said.

Harrison Butker Enters Eighth Season With Chiefs

The soon-to-be 29-year-old Harrison Butker is about to enter his eighth season with the Kansas City Chiefs. A former 2017 seventh-round pick of the Carolina Panthers, Butker has helped the Chiefs to three Super Bowl championships over the last five seasons.

Butker and the Chiefs will try to start off the 2024 season on a high note when they welcome reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and his Baltimore Ravens to Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 5.