Shocking April 911 call reveals Gregg Popovich ‘barely responding’ before hospitalization

A newly released 911 call has revealed alarming details about NBA legend Gregg Popovich’s medical emergency at a San Antonio restaurant last month. On April 15, Popovich collapsed at a Ruth’s Chris Steak House, prompting a bystander to call emergency services.TMZ Sports obtained the audio, in which the unidentified male caller initially told the dispatcher that the elderly restaurant guest was “non-responding.” Moments later, he revised his statement: “He’s barely responding… OK, he’s responding now. He passed out for a little bit.”The call didn’t name Popovich directly, but sources confirmed to TMZ it was indeed the 76-year-old former Spurs coach. Paramedics quickly arrived, placed Popovich on a stretcher, and transported him to a nearby hospital.The medical emergency followed a mild stroke Popovich suffered on November 2, shortly before the Spurs faced the Timberwolves. Mitch Johnson, his longtime assistant, stepped in to coach the remainder of the season, overseeing the final 77 games. Popovich had kept a low public profile since then, prompting concern from fans.In early May, he made his first appearance in six months at Johnson’s introductory press conference. There, Popovich confirmed his decision to step down as head coach, citing ongoing recovery as a factor: “Things are getting better by the day,” he said, “but it’s just not good enough for me to continue coaching.”While stepping aside from his coaching role, Popovich isn’t leaving the San Antonio Spurs entirely. At the May 5 press conference, he announced his new position as team president. Known for his dry humor, Popovich wore a shirt that read “El Jefe” during the event. Despite the celebratory tone, signs of his health struggles were still visible, at one point, he held onto Manu Ginobili for balance, and Tim Duncan was seen carrying a cane for him.Popovich, who has the most wins in NBA coaching history, led the Spurs to five NBA championships. He also coached Team USA to Olympic gold at the 2020 Tokyo Games. News of his health scare stirred deep concern across the basketball community, given his towering influence on the sport.Though no longer on the sidelines, Popovich’s leadership will continue to shape the Spurs organization from the front office as he focuses on his recovery.