How quick action and preparation turned a high school basketball game into a story of survival and gratitude
A high school basketball game in Fulshear, Texas, became a life-or-death moment when longtime referee Al Burgess collapsed on the court after suffering a heart attack. What followed was not just a medical emergency, but a powerful reminder of why preparation and teamwork matter.
On December 2, Burgess suddenly went down during a boys’ basketball game.
“Everything’s like a dimmer switch,” Burgess described.
His heart had stopped, and every second counted. Athletic director Steven Hill, assistant trainer Jessica Blain, and Officer Charles Crocker immediately stepped in to help.
“As I looked at Jessica, I said, ‘Right now, he doesn’t have a pulse.’ I said, ‘This man is not dying on my watch,’” Hill remembered.
Instincts and training took over as CPR was started, and a defibrillator was used.
“It’s weird because I don’t remember that much because the alter ego just kicked in the moment I knew I had to do what I had to do,” Blain added.
Within 1 minute and 40 seconds, an electric shock was delivered, and that rapid response saved Burgess’s life. Days later, Burgess returned to the Fulshear High School gym—not to officiate, but to face the moment that nearly took everything from him.
“Being able to see him walk in the front helps in my process and knowing, ‘You know what? I did the right thing. It’s OK,” Blain said.
“We all go through training as coaches, and sometimes, we’re sitting in the trainings and we’re like, ‘Why am I going through training?’ Al Burgess is why we go through those trainings,” Hill said.
During a faculty meeting held to honor the three heroes, Burgess surprised everyone by walking in himself, smiling and emotional as he thanked those who gave him a second chance.
“It’s like getting a chance to thank the people who are responsible for me being here,” Burgess said.
Still off the court for now, Burgess marked a personal victory—celebrating his 72nd birthday with his life, his gratitude, and a renewed appreciation for every breath.
This story is a powerful reminder that training is never a waste of time. The drills, certifications, and moments of preparation that feel routine can one day become the difference between life and death. Al Burgess’s survival shows that heroes aren’t always in uniforms—they’re often the people who step forward, stay calm, and act when it matters most.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/BMm0-xWJw_c?si=NXDAFaIaPbH-F4wn
- https://www.wdtv.com/2026/01/09/high-school-referee-returns-campus-where-he-collapsed-while-officiating-game/
- https://chatgpt.com/
- https://aistudio.google.com/
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