During a high school football game last Friday night in Sylacauga, Alabama, referee Joey Shelnutt on the field. He said that he had no warning signs before fainting in the second quarter. Fortunately, fellow referee and lifelong friend Lew Murphy rushed to his aid, using CPR to resuscitate him.
Shelnutt, who’s been friends with Murphy for 40 years, said “He probably would have done it for anybody. That’s just the type of person that Lew is.” Doctors discovered three blockages in his heart and he received a triple bypass procedure this week. Shelnutt says he’s grateful to be alive and hopeful he’ll be returning to refereeing as soon as he’s recovered.