Recently released audio of a 911 call involving Gregg Popovich shed light on a medical emergency he experienced back in April. The incident occurred at a San Antonio restaurant where the well-known Spurs coach fainted and was eventually taken away by ambulance.
During the call, the person on the line described Popovich as initially “unresponsive,” but later clarified that he was now “barely responding” to attempts to rouse him.
This episode unfolded around 8:20 p.m. on April 15. Popovich had previously dealt with strokes prior to a game in November, which kept him away from the team for the remainder of the season. However, by the time the ambulance arrived, he was reportedly alert enough to converse.
He had been at the restaurant for about two hours at that point, and the situation was categorized as a “life-threatening injury or illness” at the time.
A few weeks later, the Spurs shared that Popovich would step down as head coach and transition into a full-time role as the team’s president of basketball operations.
In a statement released on May 2, Popovich expressed his ongoing love and passion for the game but indicated that it was time for him to leave the head coaching position. His departure was met with mixed feelings, a bit bittersweet perhaps.
At a press event introducing Mitch Johnson as the new head coach, Popovich showcased his trademark humor. He playfully embraced his new title by unveiling a T-shirt that read “El Jeff,” which translates to “the boss” in Spanish.
Popovich quipped, “I just want to make sure everyone understands what that new job is,” humorously noting his change in status. “I’m not a coach anymore; I’m ‘El Jeff.’”
