Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh required medical attention for a heart rhythm issue during Sunday’s 23-16 road win against the Denver Broncos.
Harbaugh reported experiencing an “atrial flutter,” or arrhythmia, but stated that his heartbeat normalized after he went to the locker room.
The 60-year-old coach began feeling unwell just before the game and was assessed in the medical tent on the sidelines. Shortly after the game started, he left the field with team trainers, and the team announced he had departed due to illness.
Harbaugh received an IV from paramedics and was given a magnesium supplement before returning to the sidelines midway through the first quarter.
This incident marked the second time Harbaugh has dealt with arrhythmia during a game; the first occurrence was on November 19, 2012, when he coached the San Francisco 49ers to a 32-7 victory over the Chicago Bears.
“I’ve had a couple of ablations—one in 1999 and one in 2012,” Harbaugh mentioned, referring to a procedure that addresses irregular heart rhythms. He recalled the 2012 incident during a Monday Night Football game where Colin Kaepernick led the 49ers against the Bears, noting, “Colin had a great night.”
Harbaugh plans to consult his cardiologist on Monday. After noting he felt some irregular beats, he humorously remarked, “I am medically qualified to talk about it,” adding, “2-0 with arrhythmias.”
Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter took over as head coach while Harbaugh was away.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert stated he was unaware that Harbaugh had left the field or was experiencing a heart problem.
Meanwhile, Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, Jim’s older brother, had to exit his postgame press conference due to the situation.