Former Premier League footballer Shaka Hislop 'doing fine' after live TV collapse

Okeke George Chijioke

Jul 25, 2023

Stuff.co.nz Former Premier League footballer Shaka Hislop 'doing fine' after live TV collapse

Former English Premier League footballer Shaka Hislop is “doing fine” after his scary collapse on live television.

Working as an analyst for ESPN, the 54-year-old took a fall during the pre-game coverage of the pre-season friendly between AC Milan and Real Madrid in California on Monday (NZ time).

Speaking with the microphone alongside fellow pundit Dan Thomas at the Rose Bowl ground, Hislop leant forward, smiling, before stumbling backwards a couple of steps then falling forwards into Thomas and onto the ground.

Exclaiming Hislop’s name, Thomas scrambled to help, with the assistance of some others on-site, while the cameras kept rolling for a few seconds before cutting to commercials.

“As it stands, it’s good news,” he said. He’s conscious, he’s talking. I think he’s a little embarrassed about it all – he’s apologised profusely. Not a man who likes people to make a fuss of him.

“Obviously far too early to make any sort of diagnosis, but the important thing is that Shaka’s conscious, and we spoke to his family as well, because you imagine seeing that happen live, there can’t be many more things that can scare you. But fortunately, we spoke to his wife, and things are looking okay.”

After a pause, sigh of relief and shake of the head, Thomas quipped: “Silly Shaka.”

An ESPN spokesperson later told the Los Angeles Times via email that Hislop was “doing fine”, having been examined at the Rose Bowl health centre for around 50 minutes before being released.

The broadcaster had no information on what may have led to his collapse, however. It happened around 7pm local time, when the temperature was reported to be around 30 degrees celsius.

Shaka Hislop gives an update on his condition 🙏 pic.twitter.com/qoLxYZJfjj
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 24, 2023

Hislop has worked for ESPN since 2008, following a 15-year career as a goalkeeper with Reading, Newcastle, West Ham (two stints), Portsmouth, FC Dallas and the Trinidad and Tobago national side.

On Tuesday (NZT), Hislop released a video message, played during ESPN FC’s show, where he thanked those who had helped him, and who had reached out to check on him.

“Well, that was awkward,” he quipped at the start.

“What a 24 hours this has been. Listen, every so often life gives you moments 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, those who have reached out either directly or indirectly, thank you.

“My response now has to be to seek out the best medical opinion that I can get and listen to what my doctors have to say.

“I’d like to say thanks to Dan and the ESPN family, the camera operators, the medical staff at the Rose Bowl, all who responded in the way that they did, and afforded me the care that I got.

“I know now that even when we argue and disagree, I have the fullest support of each and every one of you. I’m looking forward to getting back, doing what I enjoy doing most. See you in a bit.”