ESPN star and former goalkeeper Shaka Hislop suddenly collapsed at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on Sunday.
The incident took place during the pre-match friendly match between AC Milan and Real Madrid.
While doing his job as an ESPN analyst, Hislop was having a conversation with his partner, Dan Thomas. In the middle of their conversation, the 54-year-old became weak and soon, she fell for Thomas.
The sudden incident shocked those present, and medical personnel were immediately called to the scene.
The broadcast was paused as attention turned to Hislop’s life, with viewers expressing their concern and support on social media.
A video of the horrific incident has gone viral on social media.
Through He died suddenly:
Hislop, who was born in England, has had a successful career as a goalscorer, his career has spanned ten years with clubs such as West Ham United, Newcastle United, Portsmouth and the Trinidad and Tobago national team. After retiring from the game, Hislop joined ESPN as a football analyst, lending his professional perspective to the sport.
ESPN’s Dan Thomas wrote encouraging news that his teammate “is aware and the medical staff is taking care of him.”
Shaka realizes it. The hospital is monitoring him.
— Dan Thomas (@DanThomasESPN) July 24, 2023
At half-time, with AC Milan leading Real Madrid 2-0, Dan Thomas gave his teammate’s update.
“Of course, my friend Shaka will not be here with us, but as it is, it is good news. He knows, he’s talking,” Thomas shared with viewers.
“I think he was embarrassed by all this, and he has apologized profusely. [Shaka] he is not a person who likes people to fool him,” he added.
Thomas encouraged the audience, adding, “It’s too early to make any kind of announcement, but the important thing is that Shaka knows.”
Thomas also spoke about the impact the incident had on Hislop’s family, who were no doubt shocked to see what had happened.
“We also spoke to his family… We spoke to his wife and things are going well, silly Shaka,” Thomas said.
Dan Thomas explained the status of Shaka Hislop.
Shaka “knows and speaks” and is helped by healers 🙏 pic.twitter.com/B3mlEsxUfw
– ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 24, 2023