ESPN commentator and former Premier League goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has spoken out for the first time since fainting during Sunday’s live broadcast in Los Angeles.
‘Well, that was awkward,’ a smiling Hislop said in a video posted on social media. ‘What a 24 hours this has been.
Although the 54-year-old London native did not offer specifics about why he collapsed prior to the AC Milan-Real Madrid friendly at the Rose Bowl, Hislop did appear to be healthy a day after the incident.
‘Listen, every so often life gives you moment to pause and this was mine,’ he continued. ‘I have so much to be thankful for. My wife, kids, family, loved ones, friends, people I’ve shared a space with over the years and have lost touch with for whatever reason and have reached out, either directly or indirectly, thank you.’
Hislop was discussing Kylian Mbappé on the sideline of Sunday’s friendly when he began wobbling. The London native maintained a smile on his face, but quickly lost his balance and came tumbling forward into broadcast partner Dan Thomas, who was visibly shaken.
Shaka Hislop has spoken out for the first time since fainting during Sunday’s live broadcast
Hislop collapsed in the middle of an on-air report on Sunday night from the Rose Bowl in CA.
The 54-year-old began wobbling before falling forward into broadcast partner, Dan Thomas
Thomas updated fans at halftime, saying that Hislop was awake, responsive, and a bit embarrassed.
‘My response now has to be to seek out the best medical opinion that I can get and listen to what my doctors have to say,’ Hislop said in the video posted on Monday evening.
‘In closing, I’d like to say thanks to Dan and the ESPN family, the camera operators, the medical staff at the Rose Bowl – all who responded in the way that they did and afforded me the care that I got. Thank you.
‘I know now, even when we argue and disagree, I have the fullest support of each and every one of you. I am looking forward to getting back doing what I enjoy doing most. See you in a bit.’
Hislop played more than 100 times for both Reading and West Ham during his career, also representing Newcastle and Portsmouth before moving into television following retirement in 2007.
There was an immediate outpouring of concern on social media following Hislop’s collapse, including a litany of posts from his former clubs and concerned fans.
Born in England in 1969, Hislop played for Trinidad and Tobago’s national team. He began his career with Reading in 1992 and ended it in MLS with FC Dallas.
Hislop was part of the Newcastle team that pushed Manchester United all the way in the title race in the 1995-96 season.
Hislop played for several Premier League clubs, including West Ham, during his fine career
He was part of the Newcastle team that came desperately close to winning the PL in 1995-96
ESPN revealed Hislop was ‘conscious’ and being examined by medics following the collapse
He then had two separate spells at West Ham from 1998-2002 and 2005-06, either side of helping Portsmouth gain promotion to the Premier League.
Hislop’s final game for the Hammers was the famous FA Cup final against Liverpool which went to penalties after the Steven Gerrard-inspired Reds came from 3-1 down before winning the shootout.
In addition to coaching goalkeepers at Connecticut college, Quinnipiac, he has also worked as a football analyst for The Guardian and as a commentator for ESPN FC.
Hislop is the cousin of American sprinter Natasha Hastings, who won Olympic gold in the 4X400 relay at the 2008 games in Beijing and 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro.
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