ESPN soccer analyst Shaka Hislop collapsed on live television Sunday afternoon in southern California just moments before a game started.
Hislop was standing next to co-host Dan Thomas while Thomas was speaking and began to sway back-and-forth for a moment before he collapsed into Thomas.
Thomas instantly tended to Hislop on the ground and called for help while the cameras were rolling.
“Shaka is conscious,” Thomas wrote on Twitter. “The medics are looking after him.”
CNN reported that it was about 86 degrees Sunday evening in southern California.
WATCH:
ESPN Analyst Shaka Hislop, 54, collapsed on live television yesterday during a soccer game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
pic.twitter.com/NF7SUJneQ9— T🦅🇺🇸🐊 (@Floridagirl0850) July 25, 2023
Hislop gave a brief statement on video Monday afternoon to update fans on his condition.
“Well, that was awkward. What a 24 hours this has been,” Hislop said. “Listen, every so often, life gives you moment to pause, and this was mine. There’s so much I have to be thankful for, my wife, kids, family, loved ones, friends.”
“People I’ve shared a space with over the years and have lost touch with for whatever reason and have reached out either directly or indirectly, thank you,” he continued. “My response now has to be to seek out the best medical opinion I can get and listen to what my doctors have to say.”
He thanked those who quickly responded to the incident and helped get him the medical care that he needed.
“In closing, I’d like to say thanks to Dan and the ESPN family, the camera operators, the medical staff at the Rose Bowl, and all those that responded in the way they did and afforded me the care that I got,” Hislop added. “Thank you.”
WATCH:
Shaka Hislop gives an update on his condition 🙏 pic.twitter.com/qoLxYZJfjj
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 24, 2023
ESPN reported that Hislop, who joined the network in 2008, played professional soccer for a long time, including as goalkeeper for West Ham, Newcastle, and Portsmouth. He also played for Trinidad and Tobago’s national team, the sports website said.