Shaka Hislop releases statement after collapsing live on air

Ex-Newcastle and West Ham goalkeeper Shaka Hislop collapsed live on air on Sunday 23rd of July.

Hislop, who retired from professional football in 2007, was working for American broadcaster ESPN at the time. He was providing pre-match analysis for a preseason game between Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Hislop was on air with fellow pundit Dan Thomas when he could be seen swaying before suddenly collapsing. The station cut to a commercial break almost immediately so as not to show Hislop on the floor.

Almost before Hislop hits the ground, Thomas is rushing to his side to provide aid. He can be heard shouting for medical attention immediately.

The match was being played at the Rose Bowl in California where the temperatures were above 86 Fahrenheit (30 Celsius), although it is unclear if this was a contributing factor in Hislop’s collapse.

At the half-time break, Dan Thomas provided an update on Hislop’s health saying, "My mate, Shaka, not here, but as it stands, it's good news. 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.”

Thomas further commented, “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."

Thomas and Hislop have a good relationship which was demonstrated by Thomas poking a little fun at his colleague, calling him “silly Shaka” after he had finished his update.

Hislop has now released a statement reassuring concerned viewers, in it he thanked his colleagues at ESPN saying, "I would like to say thanks to Dan and the ESPN family - the camera operators, the medical staff at the Rose Bowl who all responded in the way they did and afforded me the care that I got"

With the reason behind the collapse still unknown, Hislop is now seeking further medical advice to understand the cause. His statement read, "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."

Hislop made sure to show his appreciation for friends and family in his statement as they would have certainly been worried after his collapse. In his statement he said, "There is so much I have to be thankful for - wife, children, family, loved ones, friends, people I have shared space with over the years and have lost touch with for whatever reason and who have reached out either directly or indirectly"

Currently, it is unclear exactly why Hislop collapsed, but given how quickly he recovered, expect to see him back in front of the camera pretty soon. In his statement, Hislop mentions he is, "looking forward to getting back and doing what I enjoy doing most."