Thompson lives his dream

It’s rare when a human being overcomes a “one in a million chance”.

For many, chasing a dream is just that…a dream.

Ted Thompson, however, ended his chase with his dream job and “one in a million chance” in hand.

A former standout athlete for the Atlanta Rabbits, he not only had dreams of playing professionally, but had a goal in mind to become the general manager for the Green Bay Packers or New York Yankees.

Although he wasn’t drafted, Thompson did play professional football in the NFL and achieved truth to his prophecy some 30 years earlier when the Green Bay Packers hired him as their General Manager.

Thompson fulfilled his dreams on his journey through life.

His life-long journey ended Wednesday, Jan. 20, when he passed away just three days after his 68th birthday.

Looking back at his journey’s beginning, Thompson was born on Jan. 17, 1953 right here in Atlanta to Jimmy and Elta Thompson. Aside from Ted, the couple had three other children — Frank, Debbie and Jim.

Thompson was unique in terms of his sports longevity. Beginning as a middle school football player in the late 1960’s he compiled an amazing career for the next 50-plus years.

Thompson played both running back and linebacker for the Rabbs which earned him a chance to play college ball after he graduated.

He was outstanding in tackling and running over people while carrying the pigskin. As a team captain he compiled numerous honors for the Rabbs.

His exploits on the field and off cover highlights from Atlanta’s old Bivins-Trice Stadium through the Cotton Bowl, Astrodome and Green Bay’s Lambeau Field in addition to time at the Seattle Seahawks’ facilities.

With a motto of “hard work pays off ” Thompson excelled as an Atlanta Rabbit in four sports: football, basketball, golf and track.

Thompson was also a top notch baseball player but he missed out on playing in high school because Atlanta High had no baseball team in the early 1970’s.

After high school, Thompson attended SMU where he exceled in both football (three-year starter at the linebacker position) and baseball (lettered senior year).

After graduating college, Thompson enjoyed a 10- year NFL playing career with the Houston Oilers (1975-84).

Following his pro-football playing career he worked in the financial world but was lured back to the NFL in 1992 when the Green Bay Packers hired him as a scout.

He stayed in that capacity until 1999 when the Seattle Seahawks signed him as their Vice President of Football Operations.

While Thompson served as a Packer scout, Green Bay made the playoffs six times, participated in two Super Bowls and won Super Bowl XXXI.

Following his departure in 2005 Seattle reached the Super Bowl. Many of the team’s players had been acquired under Thompson’s direction.

A dream came true for Thompson in 2005 when he became the General Manager of the Green Bay Packers.

There is quite a story to go along with this achievement.

Thompson’s former Rabbit football and track teammate, Danny Harp, related this amazing story.

“The track coach told the team to take a break and gather around. Then he began asking each Atlanta athlete what they wanted to do in their adult life. When Ted had his turn to speak he said, ‘I’m going to be the General Manager of the Green Bay Packers or New York Yankees.’”

His Rabbit mates laughed but according to Harp, Thompson looked at his friends as if to say “I’m not kidding.” Seems he wasn’t, as he assumed the Green Bay job more than 30 years later.

Thompson got right to work and in his first player draft made a superb first round pick, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who later replaced Packer great Brett Favre and is currently Green Bay’s offensive leader.

Thompson felt the team could best be built through the draft and he maintained that philosophy.

The Packers went 13-3 in 2007 and Thompson was named by the Sporting News as the NFL Executive of the Year.

Prior to the 2008 season he faced a most difficult decision.

He and Favre agreed on a trade deal and the future NFL Hall of Fame quarterback was sent to the New York Jets.

Thompson had decided to put the Packers’ offense on the shoulders of Aaron Rodgers. That decision continues to be rewarding for the team.

The Packers continued to get better and won Super Bowl XLV after the 2010 season. This success prompted Green Bay to resign Thompson to a multi-year contract extension.

The following season the Pack went 15-1 but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual Super Bowl Champion New York Giants.

In Jan. of 2018 Thompson decided to step down from his General Manager role but would stay on as senior advisor to football operations.

That same year he was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.

In May of 2019 Thompson officially retired from the Packers’ organization. He revealed he had been suffering from an autonomic disorder.

He was also inducted into the East Texas Coaches Association (ETCA) Hall of Honor and the Atlanta Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020.

This season, the Packers had four players voted as First-Team All-Pro selections by The Associated Press: Rodgers, wide receiver Davante Adams, left tackle David Bakhtiari and center Corey Linsley.

All four players have one thing in common: They were all Thompson draft picks.

Perhaps former Houston Oiler Coach Bum Phillips said it best when speaking of Thompson.

“A lot of guys don’t use what God gave them. Ted used it all. He had a lot of toughness.”

Phillips also added, “He has the best judgement in football. He can tell if a kid has talent, but it takes a real sharp guy to tell if that kid has discipline and can get along with his teammates.”

Thompson knew the value of unearthing overlooked players. “I have an appreciation for guys that come up the hard way,” Thompson said.

Thompson has come full cycle and amassed a storied sports career from Atlanta’s sandlots to the Super Bowl.

It would be hard to find a former Rabbit athletic great who can match the span and success Thompson achieved.

Never to be forgotten is the man Thompson was and impact he made as a Rabbit, an Oiler, a Seahawk and the General Manager of the Green Bay Packers.