AFL icon James Hird, 53, experienced a medical emergency during a live taping of Channel Nine’s Footy Classified on Tuesday, leading to a hospital visit and general anesthesia to clear a throat obstruction.
The Essendon legend coughed noticeably at the show’s start before stepping out during the first commercial break to vomit. He powered through and finished the panel segment despite the distress.
Severe Blockage Requires Urgent Procedure
Host Eddie McGuire detailed the incident, noting that doctors used general anesthesia and a tube to extract a piece of lamb lodged in Hird’s esophagus.
‘James did the show and went to emergency,’ McGuire stated. ‘They gave him general anaesthetic, put a tube down his throat and found a piece of lamb that was apparently blocking his esophagus. It was like he was drowning because the saliva couldn’t get through. Most people would take two months off work. Hirdy finished the show and he’s already out of hospital.’
Sources praised Hird’s toughness, with one insider calling him ‘a warrior’ and another labeling his completion of the show a ‘super performance.’
Swift Return to Media Duties
Hird plans to film Footy Furnace on Wednesday with co-host Jimmy Bartel, showcasing his rapid recovery.
The two-time premiership winner shifted to broadcasting after serving as a part-time assistant coach for the GWS Giants and director of coaching at VFL club Port Melbourne.
