Changes promised after unprecedented incident leaves broadcaster needing stitches after fainting on air

Pro Football Talk has confirmed Michael Holley is ‘fine’ after fainting on Friday’s edition of PFT Live.

In what is described as an ‘unprecedented’ incident in the 15-year history of the show, the respected NFL commentator appeared visibly unwell before losing consciousness on camera.

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The scary moment happened as he discussed Troy Aikman’s recent comments about his alleged conflict of interest as a Monday Night Football analyst for ESPN and a consultant with the Miami Dolphins.

Co-host Mike Florio, who initially appeared unaware of Holley’s state, said, ‘Did he just pass out?’ before PFT Live cut to commercial.

A statement published on the PFT website Friday afternoon confirmed that Holley required five stitches in his knee as a result of the fall that happened after he became ‘overheated’ inside his home.

“Friday’s edition of PFT Live included a moment that was unprecedented in the 15-year history of the show,” Florio wrote in his statement.

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“Co-host Michael Holley fainted on live TV. Others have written about the incident; it makes sense for us to address it here.

“Michael, who has been part of the show for the past two years, became overheated during the two-hour program.

“He hadn’t had anything to eat or drink before the show began at 7:00am ET on Peacock, NBCSN, and SiriusXM 85. And, as he later told me, his studio is very warm.

“It happened in the final 30 minutes of the program. Earlier in the show, Michael’s audio in his earpiece had cut out, and I noticed him bending over to try to get it working again.

“As he became ill, I was looking at the camera, which sits above the monitor that returns the live feed of the show. I noticed Michael moving. I thought that he had again lost his audio.

“When he slumped to the right and fell out of the view of the screen, I knew something was wrong.

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“We went straight to a commercial break and immediately commenced an effort to contact Michael’s wife.

“Within a minute or so (which seemed a lot longer than that), Michael was moving. He later confirmed that he was fine.

“Except for the five stitches he needed in his knee, which he cut when he fell.”

PFT confirms Michael Holley well and will return for ‘next scheduled appearance’

Florio added PFT appreciates the ‘concern’ many viewers shared for Holley after he fainted, and that the outlet is working to remove footage of the moment shared widely online.

He also confirmed that lessons have been ‘learned’ from the incident, and that those in the PFT Live control room will have phone numbers for family members who can be immediately contacted if a contributor has a ‘sudden health issue.’

“The best news by far is that Michael is fine, but for the five stitches,” the statement concluded.

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“It was a scary moment, one of the realities of two hours of live TV.

“Again, we appreciate the concern expressed by those who saw it happen. Michael will be back for his next scheduled appearance.”