Tommy Thompson (linebacker)
Thompson on a 1952 football card
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| No. 34, 24, 54 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Linebacker, center | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Date of birth: | January 6, 1927 | ||||||||
| Place of birth: | Jersey City, New Jersey | ||||||||
| Date of death: | October 1, 1990 (aged 63) | ||||||||
| Place of death: | Baltimore, Maryland | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Woodbridge (NJ) | ||||||||
| College: | William & Mary | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: |
1948 / Round: 3 / Pick: 16 (By the Washington Redskins) |
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| Career history | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
| Games played: | 54 |
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| Interceptions: | 6 |
| Fumble recoveries: | 8 |
| Player stats at NFL.com | |
Thomas Wright "Tommy" Thompson (January 6, 1927 – October 1, 1990) was an American football linebacker and center who played for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL) in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He played college football at the College of William & Mary in Virginia.
Thompson was a standout athlete at his high school in New Jersey. He continued playing football at William & Mary between 1944 and 1948 – his career was interrupted by a year of service in the U.S. military during World War II – and helped the team to a series of winning records and bowl appearances. He was named an all-Southern Conference center three times in college and was a third-string All-American in 1948, his senior year.
Thompson joined the Browns in 1949 and played primarily as a linebacker as the team won the AAFC championship. The Browns joined the NFL in 1950 and won the league championship that year. Thompson was a leader for Cleveland, serving as its captain in 1952 and 1953, his final two seasons. He was named a first-team All-Pro in 1953. After retiring, Thompson worked as a financial executive and was a trustee at William & Mary. He was inducted into his college's athletics hall of fame in 1969 and into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1975. He died of cancer in 1990.
Thompson grew up in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey and attended Woodbridge High School. He played football there and was named an all-state athlete under head coach Nick Priscoe. After graduating, Thompson attended the College of William & Mary in Virginia, where he continued to play football as a center. He also played linebacker on defense for the William & Mary Indians, often staying on the field for the entire duration of games. Thompson played for William & Mary in 1944 and between 1946 and 1948 – his career was interrupted by a brief stint in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a leader on the team and an anchor of its line.
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