Essendon champion James Hird was taken to hospital on Tuesday night after falling ill during a television appearance.
Hird was appearing on Nine’s Footy Classified when viewers saw him coughing early in the program. According to the Herald Sun, he was distressed by something lodged in his throat and vomited during the first commercial break. Despite the incident, he returned and completed the show before going to hospital.
Eddie McGuire later explained what had happened, saying, “James did the show and went to emergency.”
“They gave him general anaesthetic, put a tube down his throat and found a piece of lamb that was apparently blocking his oesophagus.
“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 out of hospital this morning.
“I guess I expect Essendon people to choke. But in all seriousness, Hirdy performed beautifully last night. He was all over the Michael Voss story and the Carlton’s situation. “He’s a very physical and mentally tough guy”.
Hird has built a media career since finishing his role as a part-time assistant coach with the GWS Giants. The 53-year-old has also been serving as Port Melbourne Football Club’s director of coaching in the VFL.
He is expected to return to screens on Wednesday for Footy Furnace alongside Jimmy Bartel.
During Tuesday’s program, Hird was also asked whether he would consider coaching Carlton after Michael Voss stepped down as Blues coach with immediate effect. Josh Fraser has been appointed interim coach.
Hird made it clear he does not see himself as a likely candidate.
“The Carlton job would be an incredible job … but I think I’d be the last person they’d ask,” Hird replied.
“I think IKON Park would blow up if I got asked.”
He said Carlton should focus on appointing the right person for the club’s broader demands.
“They should be looking for a coach who is the best fit for Carlton, and I think that is someone with experience in the industry but also willing to do the hard yards, not just with the team but also with the football club.
“Carlton, similar to Collingwood and Essendon, is a beast in its own right. But it is a very, very special beast that you need a very, very special person to coach.
“I think it suits a more experienced person because of all the external factors that come around Carlton are bigger than most other clubs.
“The coach that comes in also has that culture issue to change. And it’s not with bad players or bad people, it is in terms with the way they play.”
