Like every professional football player, Anthony Thompson acknowledges his career could be over at the drop of a hat. Players regress. Or get hurt. Or decide their heart simply isn’t in it anymore. With that inevitability in mind, Thompson still plans on being close to football for the rest of his working life.
After majoring in psychology while playing at Southern Illinois University, the Montreal native discovered he wanted to one day work as a sports psychologist. It was all thanks to his head coach at the school, Dale Lennon.
“He asked me what I wanted to do (after football) and I told him I wanted to study people, “ recalls Thompson.
“He suggested I stay around sports and be around athletes who need psychological help. I took some classes and realized that once football is over I’d like to help players.”
Little did Thompson know just how fascinated he would become with a profession that has grown significantly over the past couple decades.
“I didn’t think I would benefit from the degree, but I use it every day. Studying people and trying to figure out how they think is pretty cool,” adds Thompson.
Studying football and its habits has also come natural to Thompson as he gets set for a second CFL season. He was the lone Lions’ draft pick from 2016 to appear in every game- Charles Vaillancourt likely would have if not for his early-season concussion- and chipped in with 17 total tackles as well as a pair of forced fumbles.
He now plans for even bigger and better things in a secondary that still has a few question marks heading into camp.
“I think my rookie year was pretty good. It was more of a learning curve for me. I had to once again adapt to the Canadian rules and all that kind of stuff, but I had great guys around me. The DB’s took me in and showed me what to do.”
One of those mentors was none other than 12-year veteran Ryan Phillips, the type of teammate every rookie should be lucky enough to learn from.
“It’s like having another coach on the field,” Thompson says of number 21.”Every time I got out on the field he knew exactly what I was doing and made sure I wasn’t nervous and thinking too much. He just always said ‘make sure you do this and it’s all you have to worry about. Just do your job and you’ll be alright.”
Other than learning from one of the greatest defensive players in franchise history, Thompson singles out his first pro game in his native Montreal as one of the big highlights of his rookie season. Being able to start that game due to injuries in the secondary was just icing on the cake.
“It was significant starting in Montreal because I had my whole family there, my friends got to see me play and it was a pretty touching moment for my Mom,” recalls Thompson.” It was the first time she ever saw me play pro, so it was cool.”
Thompson lists his Mother Mellinda as his number one fan. It was her support that helped him become a pro after two years at Vanier College, a non-playing season at UCLA and the productive stint at Southern Illinois.
It was his time with the Salukis that made him a prime prospect for the 2016 draft. Thompson lists a 100-yard pick six against Youngstown State as his college highlight and it was probably that play that changed the outlook of the type of player he wants to be. He originally wanted to model his game after the likes of Bryan Dawkins, Deion Sanders and the late Sean Taylor.
“I think I used to want to be a hitter like those guys, but since I dropped a couple pounds I want to intercept the ball and run it back. Taylor was probably the guy I looked up to the most.”
Thompson also represents yet another example of just how much depth the Lions had in their secondary all season long, especially when the injuries continued to mount. Defensive coordinator Mark Washington acknowledged having that amount of capable injury replacements is good for everyone.
“All of a sudden, the drop off wasn’t there,” said Washington when recapping his 2016 defence last December. “You were seeing guys make plays just like the guys we had in there were making plays. It’s good for competition and it forces guys to not rest on their laurels.”
With the calendar approaching February, Thompson is extra focused on his strength training and getting ready for a big encore in his second season. With the departure of Anthony Gaitor to New Orleans and a couple of pending free agents, the 26-year old knows he has to be prepared to fill any role.
“Just get on the field and do what I can do to help the team win,” says Thompson of the goals for 2017. “Whether it’s at safety, nickel or wherever they throw me at. “I bounce around sometimes in the secondary so I have to be ready for any position and just take it in as I go.”
Versatility is the key. And it may be a big reason Thompson’s sports psychology career may be put on hold for at least a couple more years.
Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com