Tommy Thompson (quarterback)
Lurtis Pryor "Tommy" Thompson (August 15, 1916 – April 22, 1989) was an American football quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League. He was blind in one eye, from a childhood incident, but nevertheless served in the U.S. Army for two years during World War II, which put his professional career on hold.[1]
Born in Hutchinson, Kansas, Thompson graduated from R. L. Paschal High School in Fort Worth, Texas, and played college football at the University of Tulsa.
Thompson was an off-and-on starter for the Philadelphia Eagles, and led them to three consecutive NFL championship appearances, including the 1948 and 1949 title-winning seasons.[2] His 25 touchdown passes led the league in 1948 and he led to victory in the championship game over the defending champion Chicago Cardinals in a snowstorm, avenging their loss in the previous year.[3] Thompson also played on in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1953.[4][5]
Thompson is one of three inactive NFL quarterbacks with multiple championships who were not inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, along with Jim Plunkett and Jack Kemp.[6] Ray Didinger of CSNPhilly ranked him in the Top 5 all-time Eagles quarterbacks, citing his contribution to the championship teams.
Thompson battled brain cancer for over a year and died in 1989 in Calico Rock, Arkansas.[7][8]
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