Soccer

Soccer analyst Shaka Hislop gives update after scary and ‘awkward’ ESPN collapse

Shaka Hislop is on the mend. 

The ESPN soccer analyst who collapsed on air during Sunday’s AC Milan and Real Madrid friendly at the Rose Bowl took to Twitter to give an update on his health.

“Well, that was awkward. What a 24 hours this has been. Listen, every so often life gives you a moment to pause, and this was mine,” Hislop, 54, said on Monday. 

“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.”

Hislop was speaking with ESPN’s Dan Thomas on the sidelines before the match when he started to sway and fell face first onto the ground. 

ESPN’s Shaka Hislop collapsed during a pre-game talk with co-host Dan Thomas. ESPN

The live broadcast cut to a commercial as Thomas, who gave an update during halftime, called for help. 

“My mate Shaka, not here, but as it stands, it’s good news,” Thomas said on air. “He’s conscious, he’s talking. I think he’s a little embarrassed about it all, he’s apologized profusely. Not a man who likes people to make a fuss of him.”

Hislop played professional soccer for 15 years on the field in the Premier League for Reading, Newcastle United, West Ham and Portsmouth and in the MLS with FC Dallas. 

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shaka Hislop before the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal. Newcastle United via Getty Image
Shaka Hislop of West Ham in action during the Barclays Premiership match in 2006. Getty Images

The former goalie also competed at the international level for Trinidad and Tobago during the 2006 World Cup. 

Hislop has been with ESPN since 2008 and thanked his colleagues for being there for him in the scary moment. 

“I would like to say thanks to Dan and the ESPN family,” Hislop said.

“The camera operators, the medical staff, the Rose Bowl, all who responded in the way that they did and afforded me the care that I got, thank you.”

Dwight Yorke (L) and Dennis Lawrence celebrate with goalkeeper Shaka Hislop of Trinidad and Tobago in 2006 Getty Images

While waiting for answers on the road to recovery, Hislop is already excited to get back on the broadcast. 

“I’m looking forward to getting back and doing what I enjoy doing most,” Hislop said. “See you in a bit.” 

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