A scary situation unfolded on Wednesday as Lions’ offensive lineman Phil Norman suffered what the team describes as a ‘significant medical episode’ before the B.C. Lions were set to practice at 3 pm EST for their second full session for their upcoming game on Saturday night against the Edmonton Elks.
The Lions released a statement on their official Twitter page. “Prior to practice, offensive lineman Phil Norman suffered a significant medical episode. Phil is currently conscious and alert and receiving full medical attention. The remainder of today’s activity has been cancelled.”
Norman was placed on the one-game injured list last week as the Lions defeated the Calgary Stampeders in the season-opener at McMahon Stadium.
Later, B.C. Lions’ General Manager Neil McEvoy provided more information on Norman. “Phil was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. His EKG test has come back to normal. Phil will undergo further blood testing and assessment from a cardiologist and will be kept in the hospital overnight as a precaution.”
Phil Norman is six foot four and weighs 318 pounds. The 27-year-old from Sebastian, Florida, signed with the Lions on May 18th, 2018, and was placed on the practice squad. Norman has played 29 games in three seasons playing center, left guard, and left tackle.
Collegiately, Norman played 40 games, of which 29 were starts in four seasons at Bethune-Cookman University (2014-17) playing different positions on the offensive line for the Wildcats.
In 2014, he helped pave the way for the MEAC’s third-best rushing offense with the Wildcats averaging 199.2 yards per game on the ground. In addition, he blocked for the league’s fifth-best total offensive unit totaling 4,337 yards on the campaign (361.4 yards/game).
