‘Reminds you of what’s important’: Brodie collapse sends shock waves
Posted Nov 14, 2019 4:35 pm.
Last Updated Nov 14, 2019 6:27 pm.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) — Moments of utter panic as training staff and paramedics rushed to Calgary Flames blueliner T.J. Brodie after he collapsed on the Saddledome ice during Thursday’s practice.
“His leg was shaking, and he was convulsing,” Sportsnet 960’s Pat Steinberg described. “It went from there. Next thing you know, players are yelling down the hall for the training staff, the training staff is running out there. The Flames training staff did an incredible job of stabilizing T.J. as soon as they got there and waiting for the paramedics to get there. Fourteen or 15 people probably called 911.”
The long-time Flame was responsive, sitting up and looking around when paramedics arrived. He was able to talk to the training staff, and it was that moment there was a collective sigh of relief.
“Your stomach started to unclench,” Steinberg said. “Anybody who was in the building was pretty rattled by the whole thing. Everybody who was there, players, management, coaching staff, media, some fans were there. Everybody in that building was pretty rattled.”
Pretty scary stuff at practice. TJ Brodie collapsed on the ice, was convulsing. Left with paramedics a few minutes ago.
Practice called short, as you’d expect; everyone in attendance pretty rattled.
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) November 14, 2019
The team was in the middle of preparations for a two-game road trip that starts Saturday in Arizona, but that’s all an afterthought.
“These guys are elite athletes,” Steinberg added. “You’re so used to them going through their drills and seeing who they’re playing with, talking about the lines or the game from the night before. Then that happens. It was a sobering experience for everyone.
“The best word I would use is perspective. We talk about wins and losses and all that stuff. When something like this happens, it reminds you of what’s really important.”
Brodie is now recovering at home with his family.
The Flames are the only club the 29-year-old has ever played for. He was drafted by the team in 2008 and made his professional debut in 2010.
