The 911 call from Gregg Popovich’s April medical emergency has emerged.
TMZ released audio of the incident on Friday, shedding light on the evening when the legendary Spurs coach lost consciousness at a San Antonio steakhouse and was subsequently taken to the hospital by ambulance.
At first, the caller to 911 mentioned a “guest” who was “non-responding.” Later, the caller updated the dispatcher, indicating that Popovich was “barely responding” and had “passed out briefly.”
The incident is said to have occurred around 8:20 p.m. on April 15. Despite having suffered a stroke prior to a game in November, which resulted in his absence from the team for the remaining season, Popovich was reportedly “alert and talking” upon reaching the ambulance.
Popovich had been inside the restaurant for two hours, and the incident was labeled a “non-life-threatening injury or illness” at the time.
A couple of weeks later, the Spurs announced that Popovich would be stepping down as the team’s head coach and would transition into a full-time role as the team’s president of basketball operations.
“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich said in a statement posted by the Spurs on May 2. “I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me.”
A few days later, during a press conference to announce Mitch Johnson as San Antonio’s new head coach, Popovich flashed his familiar humor while taking the podium to pass the torch before unveiling a new T-shirt that displays the words “El Jefe,” which translates from Spanish to “the boss.”
“l’ll have a new job and I just want to make sure everyone understands what that new job is,” Popovich said as he unzipped his jacket.
“I’m no longer a coach, I’m ‘El Jefe.’”
