Gregg Popovich’s recent health scare was far more serious than initially reported, according to newly released 911 audio that paints a harrowing picture of the NBA icon’s condition on April 15.
The call, obtained by TMZ Sports, reveals that Popovich was described as “non-responding” and later “barely responding” after collapsing inside a San Antonio Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
Though his identity wasn’t confirmed during the call, multiple sources have verified that the emergency involved the legendary former Spurs head coach.
The caller, who identified Popovich only as a restaurant guest, urgently relayed to dispatchers that the 76-year-old had passed out at the table and was initially unresponsive. “He passed out for a little bit,” the man told the 911 operator.
A few tense moments later, he updated his report: “He’s responding now.”
Within minutes, paramedics arrived on the scene, placed Popovich on a stretcher, and rushed him to a nearby hospital.
This frightening moment came just six months after Popovich suffered a mild stroke in early November 2024, which forced him to take a leave of absence from coaching. Assistant Mitch Johnson assumed coaching duties for the rest of the season, quietly preparing to take over the team full-time.
While Popovich remained out of the public eye during his recovery, concern about his long-term health quietly grew throughout the NBA community.
The April episode turned those whispers into alarm bells. Though early reports labeled it a “non-life-threatening medical event,” the 911 call confirms it was far more dire than publicly acknowledged. Popovich was described as disoriented and barely conscious before gradually stabilizing.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, Popovich made a public appearance just weeks later, attending Johnson’s official introduction as the new head coach on May 5.
Dressed in a shirt humorously emblazoned with the words “El Jefe,” Popovich formally announced his retirement from coaching and his transition into a new role as president of basketball operations. He was visibly slower, leaning on Manu Ginobili for support, with Tim Duncan nearby carrying a cane reportedly for him.
Popovich’s decision to step down from the bench closes one of the most legendary coaching chapters in sports history. With five NBA championships, a record for most coaching wins, and a gold medal as head coach of Team USA, his resume speaks for itself.
Yet the recent health scare added a human dimension to his departure, reminding everyone that even giants occasionally need to sit down.
While he won’t be pacing the sidelines anymore, Popovich remains the Spurs’ guiding hand from the front office. His presence still looms large not just as “El Jefe,” but as a living symbol of leadership, resilience, and legacy.
