Gregg Popovich was 'barely responding' during medical incident
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The 911 call from Gregg Popovich’s April medical emergency has emerged. 

TMZ recently published a recording that sheds light on the evening when the renowned Spurs coach collapsed at a steakhouse in San Antonio and had to be transported to the hospital.

During the 911 call, the caller initially mentioned a “guest” who was unresponsive, later specifying that Popovich was barely conscious and had temporarily lost consciousness.


San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reacting with mouth open to an official's call during a basketball game in Salt Lake City, 2024.
Gregg Popovich reacts after a call by the official, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in Salt Lake City. AP

The incident took place at approximately 8:20 p.m. on April 15, following Popovich’s previous stroke in November. Despite this health scare, reports indicate that he was alert and communicative by the time he was loaded into 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.”


Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili introducing Mitch Johnson as the new head coach for the San Antonio Spurs NBA team
Gregg Popovich unveils his clever new t-shirt that shows “El Jefe” written on it. AP

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.’”

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