The former England defender, 62, had been in Las Vegas to watch a rugby league match between Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves.
He became unwell on the flight back to London Heathrow on Sunday, March 2, and received treatment on the Virgin Atlantic plane.
A decision was made to make an emergency landing at St John’s International Airport in Canada, Sky News reports.
There was a minute’s applause for Stuart Pearce at the City Ground after the former Forest, Man City and England defender suffered a medical emergency on a flight last weekend.
Everyone at MOTD sends Stuart our best wishes for a speedy recovery. ❤️#BBCFootball #NFOMCI pic.twitter.com/fN8x5OnFjj
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 8, 2025
Football commentator Sam Matterface, who works with Pearce at talkSPORT, revealed he’d spoken to Pearce and shared how he was doing.
Speaking from the City Ground ahead of Nottingham Forest’s game against Man City on Saturday (March 8) he said: “I spoke to him yesterday, he’s in great spirits.
“He isn’t 100%, that is definitely the case, but he is in the right place, he is in the hospital. They are dealing with it.
“He is a little bit disappointed about not being here today, he was most frustrated about that.
The City Ground erupts in applause for Nottingham Forest legend Stuart Pearce, who had a recent health scare 👏
Get well soon, Stuart. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YgIHWREX1A
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 8, 2025
“He actually said to me, ‘I have got so much I had to cancel. Some great games, and Mumford & Sons are playing on Wednesday night and I can’t go now’.
“He wasn’t happy about that. He is in good spirits.”
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A message was displayed on the big screen at City Ground reading “Get Well Soon Stuart”, after three minutes of the Premier League game, recognising Pearce’s old shirt number three.
Pearce, who also played for Man City, made 401 appearances for Nottingham Forest during a 12-year stint.
In terms of his international career, he also earned 78 caps for England and played in the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup.
