ESPN Soccer Analyst Shaka Hislop Faints During Scary On-Air Incident

ESPN analyst and former athlete Shaka Hislop is doing “OK” after he appeared to faint and collapse while giving commentary during a live broadcast.

During a match between AC Milan and Real Madrid on Sunday (July 23) at the Rose Bowl, Hislop appeared to lose balance and fall while appearing on-air with co-host Dan Thomas. A video from the broadcast showed Thomas calling for a medic after his fall.

“Shak! Shak! We need some help,” Thomas said.

Thomas later tweeted, “Shaka is conscious. The medics are looking after him.”

The reason for Hislop’s collapse has not been shared with the public. However, Thomas gave an update at halftime during the broadcast.

“As it stands, it’s good news,” he said. “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. Obviously, far too early to make any sort of diagnosis, but the important thing is that Shaka is conscious.”

He continued, “We spoke to his family as well, because you imagine seeing that happen live — there can’t be many more things that can scare you amongst the family, but fortunately we spoke to his wife and things are looking OK.”

Before he began working as an ESPN commentator, Hislop was a goalkeeper on Newcastle United, West Ham United, Portsmouth, and FC Dallas. He later joined Trinidad and Tobago, which he played for during their first-ever appearance at the World Cup in 2006.

The 54-year-old is married to Desha Hislop. The couple share five children together.