B.C. Lions cancel practice after player suffers 'significant medical episode'

The B.C. Lions say they have cancelled the team's practice on Wednesday after offensive lineman Phil Norman suffered what they described as a "significant medical episode."

Team says offensive lineman Phil Norman is conscious, alert, receiving medical care

The Canadian Press · Posted: Jun 14, 2023 4:48 PM EDT | Last Updated: June 14, 2023

A group of football players run a drill during training camp in front of a mountainous backdrop. — B.C. Lions players participate in training camp in Kamloops in 2022. The team cancelled practice on Wednesday after a "significant medical episode" involving offensive lineman Phil Norman. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

A B.C. Lions player is recovering in hospital after collapsing on the field before the start of Wednesday's practice.

Offensive lineman Phil Norman suffered what the CFL club described as a "significant medical episode" during the team's pre-practice walk-through. The team added that Norman is conscious, alert and receiving medical attention.

"After going down at the start of Wednesday's practice, Phil was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation," Neil McEvoy, the Lions co-general manager and director of football operations, said in a statement. "His EKG [electrocardiogram] test has come back normal.

"Phil will undergo further blood testing and assessment from a cardiologist and will be kept in hospital overnight as a precaution."

Coach Rick Campbell spoke to media with an update on the medical condition of OL Phil Norman. <br><br>Phil is currently receiving medical care, and is conscious and stable. <a href="https://t.co/0IwYdSLuNi">pic.twitter.com/0IwYdSLuNi</a>
—@BCLions

Norman signed with the Lions in 2018 after spending three years at Bethune-Cookman University. He spent the 2018 season on the Lions' practice roster before making his pro debut in 2019.

Norman was released by the team in 2021 and was re-signed last year.

He's started 29 games over three seasons.

Fellow lineman Sukh Chungh was visibly emotional speaking to reporters after the event.

"It looked like it wasn't an accident or a fall. It looked like he had dropped," he said. "My initial reaction was to yell for the trainers and call 911. And that's what we're taught to do. They were at his aid very quickly."

OL Sukh Chungh speaks to the media on the medical condition of OL Phil Norman. <br><br>Phil is currently receiving medical care, and is conscious and stable. <a href="https://t.co/ftrT2KaMaR">pic.twitter.com/ftrT2KaMaR</a>
—@BCLions

Head coach Rick Campbell said he's never experienced a case like this before in his pro career and decided the best thing to do would be to cancel practice.

"We just didn't want to make these guys practice after seeing something like that. It's not an easy thing to watch," he said. "It's always out of place when you see something like that and there's no physical exertion or physical contact."

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Campbell cancelled practice and other team activities following the incident, a move which was praised by players.

"Rick does a great job of taking care of us mentally and physically and I think he understands the severity of what happened today and it'd be hard to continue practice having that in the back of our mind and being concerned for Phil," Chungh said.

There is no immediate word on Norman's potential return to action.

The Lions are scheduled to play the Edmonton Elks at B.C. Place on Saturday.

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