Thomas Pryor Thompson (August 15, 1918 – April 22, 1989) was an American football quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League….who 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. Born in Hutchinson, Kansas, Thompson graduated from R. L. Paschal High School in Fort Worth, Texas….where our Bone Daddy, the original Sportsphile’s mother graduated from…..and knew “one-eyed Tommy”….after which he played college football at the University of Tulsa.
Thompson was an off-and-on starter for the Philadelphia Eagles….who led them to three consecutive NFL championship appearances….including the 1948 and 1949 title-winning seasons. His 25 touchdown passes led the league in 1948….as he led the Eagles to victory in the championship game over the defending champion Chicago Cardinals in a snowstorm….while avenging their loss in the previous year. Thompson also played on in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1953.
Thompson is one of three eligible inactive NFL quarterbacks with multiple championships who were not inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame….along with Jim Plunkett and Jack Kemp. Sports columnists Ray Didinger of CSN Philly ranked Tommy Thompson in the Top 5 all-time Eagles quarterbacks, citing his contribution to the championship teams.
