You’ll have to excuse Anthony Thompson for acting a little more “business-like” so far in his third season as a pro. He had plenty of practice this past offseason as he took on some added responsibility managing Sweet Somethings, a small little boutique cafe on the west side of Vancouver.
Thompson made the decision to stay in Vancouver this offseason and with that came the need to make ends meet in Canada’s most expensive city. After a friend told him about the opportunity at the coffee shop, he found out just how beneficial it might be for some of his requirements on the football field.
“It helped me build a little character and grow up a little bit more,” Thompson explained.
“I was in the facility working out every second day and those other days I would spend at the cafe. It definitely helped my social skills. Since I was the manager I was kind of directing people around, kind of like the free safety position. I still work shifts whenever I can. I love it.”
And character is a big reason he is where he is. After splitting his rookie season behind Mike Edem at safety and as a backup at field corner, Thompson earned the starting safety position out of 2017 training camp. He then followed that up by starting all 18 games, finishing with 36 defensive tackles and his first career interception in a victory over Saskatchewan on August 5th.
“I love it,” Thompson said of the process so far.
“You’ve got to embrace it and safety is a tough position. You’ve got to be the chief out there, tell the guys what to do and have them look up to you. It’s fun. I have slowly gotten used to the process and I’m just trying to be the best that I can be.”
VANCOUVER, BC – JUNE 8: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers play the BC Lions in their pre-season game June 8, 2018 at BC Place in Vancouver, BC. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/BC Lions)
Is Thompson content? Not even close. Especially with the entire defence needing a wakeup call after Mike Reilly and the Eskimos put up 42 points and 517 yards of total offence last week. Players of Thompson’s calibre quickly learn that you have to tackle the adversity head-on and he insists Friday night was a mere blip on the radar.
“This is a great defence. We’re a lot bigger, faster and stronger. We can put more fear into offences and can’t wait to show it going forward,” Thompson claimed.
And that next test comes in a home and home series with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the first leg coming on Saturday in the Manitoba capital. Quarterback Matt Nichols could make his return after he was activated from the six-game injured list on Monday. Whether it’s Nichols or rookie Chris Steveler, the Bombers have some pretty good offensive pieces in Andrew Harris, Weston Dressler, Adarius Bowman and Darvin Adams, just to name a few.
One thing that has changed with Thompson is his uniform number. After wearing 8 his first two seasons, he knew he had to jump at 23 when it first came available, for sentimental reasons alone.
“It’s been a number I’d carried since I was nine years old and was always important to me,” Thompson said.
“March 23rd is my birthday. I’ve made plays in this number too so it’s always stuck with me. Hopefully, that happens a lot this season too.”
As for that work ethic, Thompson follows his mother Melinda, his biggest hero, for inspiration.
“My Mom has been working two jobs for way too long. She’s been pushing me and has always been the person I go to before and after games. If she’s not watching me play, I feel a little emptiness. She’s my rock. She pushes me. My Mom’s a nurse, goes to two different hospitals and works really hard. I’ve got to make her proud.”
Melinda raised Anthony in Montreal, where hockey was always king. She advised her son against a career on the ice, fearing he was too small. Thompson then started playing football at the age of eight and quickly discovered it was the sport he wanted to pursue. After high school, he found his way to Southern Illinois University where he majored in Psychology and quickly came to the conclusion he wanted to be a Sports Psychologist once his football career comes to an end.
On the field, he lists a 100-yard interception return against Youngstown State as his college highlight. Those accolades drew lots of interest from CFL suitors ahead of the 2016 draft, although Thompson admits he wasn’t expecting the call from Neil McEvoy and Geroy Simon, as the Lions were about to make the 12th overall selection in round two.
“I had no idea I was going to end up here, ” he said.
“I really thought it would be in the east, likely Hamilton. When I saw the British Columbia number it was a pleasant surprise. I love it out here and I never want to leave.”
Both the football club and Sweet Somethings would be better for it.
Now he and the defence get ready for some redemption in the Manitoba capital. Should they prevail, perhaps a few p0st-game coffees could be in order.
July 3rd Practice Report
Thompson and his teammates were back at work in Surrey on Monday, focusing heavily on special teams with an intense round of “gassers” (jogging from sideline to sideline) at the end. After dressing as the seventh offensive lineman in Edmonton, Hunter Steward did not take part. At this point, it is unclear whether it will be him or Chris Greaves getting most of the work in at left guard. 2018 draft pick and Nebraska product David Knevel was a healthy scratch on Friday.
A big decision Wally Buono and the coaches face this week is whether or not to give Marcell Young another shot at field corner. After watching the film, Buono wasn’t as critical of Young’s performance as many would have believed.
“We’re not going to overreact because of the game or five plays,” Buono said.
“That’s not having any confidence in your players or any of your team. We’re going to definitely look at having that position be competitive, but you can’t just pick one guy. We played maybe a little bit more man (coverage) than we normally did and in the second half they took advantage of it.”
News of Nichol’s activation had just started to trickle out once media availability had wrapped up. Given that we are right in that 4-6 week prognosis, you know the staff is going to be prepared to face either quarterback in this critical contest. Should it be Steveler, Buono still expects a tough test.
“There’s been a lot of quarterbacks that have come in that are young, are great athletes and they keep the game simple. I think at this point with the Bombers, their coaching staff has done a good job of keeping the quarterbacks’ responsibilities simple, (there are) things he can do really really well and if you take him lightly he’s going to hurt you.”
Steveler’s only victory this season was a solid performance: 246 passing yards and three touchdowns in a 56-10 thumping of Montreal in week two. He has thrown for six touchdowns in three appearances.
Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com