Ted Thompson
Ted Thompson: A Life of Football and Leadership
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Ted Thompson was born Theodore Edwin Thompson on November 2, 1953. He is commonly known as Ted Thompson.
Birth and Death Dates
Ted Thompson was born on November 2, 1953, and passed away on September 20, 2019.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Thompson was an American football executive who held various roles in the NFL, including General Manager of the Green Bay Packers.
Early Life and Background
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Born in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, Thompson grew up with a passion for sports. He attended the University of Washington, where he played college football and studied business administration. After graduating in 1976, Thompson began his career in the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Major Accomplishments
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Thompson's most notable achievement came during his tenure as General Manager of the Green Bay Packers (2008-2017). Under his leadership, the team won Super Bowl XLV and appeared in two NFC Championship Games. Thompson also played a key role in drafting talented players like Aaron Rodgers, Charles Woodson, and Clay Matthews.
Notable Works or Actions
As an executive, Thompson was known for his keen eye for talent and ability to build strong relationships with coaches and other team personnel. He implemented a successful draft strategy that focused on selecting high-character players who would thrive in the Packers' system. Thompson's approach helped shape the team's roster into one of the most consistent and successful in the NFL.
Impact and Legacy
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Thompson's impact on the Green Bay Packers cannot be overstated. During his time as General Manager, the team experienced a resurgence in success that had not been seen since the 1990s. Thompson's influence extended beyond the field as well; he was instrumental in creating a positive and inclusive team culture.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Ted Thompson is widely quoted and remembered for his leadership and commitment to building a winning franchise. His legacy extends far beyond the Green Bay Packers, as he helped shape the NFL's approach to talent evaluation and roster construction. Thompson's ability to connect with players, coaches, and fans alike has made him a beloved figure in the football community.
Thompson's passing on September 20, 2019, was met with an outpouring of tributes from around the league. Former teammates and colleagues remembered his kind heart, sharp mind, and dedication to the game. The Green Bay Packers organization honored Thompson by retiring his number (119) in a pre-game ceremony before their next home game.
As the NFL continues to evolve, Ted Thompson's influence remains evident in the way teams approach player personnel decisions. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of leadership, character, and community in building a winning franchise.
Quotes by Ted Thompson
All seven people I interviewed wanted Brett Favre to come back and play quarterback for us. I know Mike has worked with Brett so there is some familiarity, but I didn't make the decision to hire Mike as a head coach based on that.
Ahmad was playing him deeper and he cut across the field. He made a good adjust and pretty good run after the catch, which he can do.
There are different 'It' factors for different players. There are all kinds of different personalities of quarterbacks around the league, but there are a lot of good ones and they don't necessarily think and act alike. But I do think there are moments during games even on the collegiate level where you can see that this guys is something different, someone sees things differently, they see things a little bit quicker, they're a little bit more cognizant of what's going on. I think it's something like that.
As much as I'd like to think I'm an expert in quarterbacks I'm probably not. But, I think college quarterbacks are put in positions where they have to do a lot of the things that are done at the professional level. The collegiate quarterback probably does on average a little more running than a pro quarterback. But outside of that, I think they're faced with some of the same difficult decisions and choices.
I've always been connected to football, but for some reason, there's never been a connection.
I don't think we brought in anybody like that last year. Usually you bring in a guy your doctor might want to look at again for a particular reason or you might have a question that didn't get answered. You interview a whole bunch of guys at the combine and you might want to talk to somebody again.
I couldn't tell you exactly. I talk to him every week or 10 days, something like that. I haven't talked to him the last couple days.
He still runs around, still plays with passion. I don't see anything diminished there.
He's smart, and offensive coaches like to have smart guys that know what they're doing, can pick up things, can react in the heat of battle. And Will seems to have an ability to handle the chaos that's involved in an NFL game.