By Mara Allen
Contributing Writer
GREEN BAY – Green Bay Blizzard offensive/defensive lineman Tyrell Thompson’s journey has been nothing short of a whirlwind.
Thompson grew up in Copperas Cove, Texas, about two hours away from both Dallas and Houston.
He started playing football in eighth grade as both a quarterback and a nose guard.
He recalls running a play at quarterback, and getting smacked in the shin with a helmet as he threw the ball.
“That was the most pain I’ve ever been in. I couldn’t even call the play in the huddle I was crying so hard,” he laughed. “After that, I told the coach I didn’t want to play quarterback, and to play me at a position that I didn’t have to get hit.”
So, Thompson became a defensive lineman, hitting people instead of being the one who got it.
He attended Copperas Cove High School, the same school that Robert Griffin III and Charles Tillman graduated from.
Thompson looks back and acknowledges that football was his top priority, not school.
Because of this, he landed at Trinity Valley Community College, where he earned All-Conference, All-Region and All-American honors.
With all of this success, Thompson was highly sought after coming out of junior college, even meeting with legendary Alabama head coach Nick Saban.
He chose to attend Tarleton State University in Texas, where he again excelled on the field, earning multiple honors and accolades.
Thompson signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
He spent training camp with the Rams, learning from some of the best in the league, including Super Bowl winning head coach Sean McVay.
“I had a great time. Sean McVay was an amazing coach,” he recalled.
Thompson fondly recalls meeting three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald on the first day of camp.
“It was great,” he said. “He was saying ‘hi’ to all the rookies. In that moment, it didn’t really click that I shook Aaron Donald’s hand.”
Thompson’s lingering knee pain was reaggravated during training camp, causing him to miss valuable time on the field to prove himself.
After he was released by the Rams, Thompson was drafted by the Dallas Renegades of the XFL in the fall of 2019.
Though the season was cut short due to COVID-19, Thompson still had a great experience playing under longtime University of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops.
“Oklahoma is my favorite college football team, so that was kind of a dream come true to get to play for him,” he added.
With the XFL not returning for a season after the pandemic, Thompson chose to sign with the Frisco Fighters, his home state’s Indoor Football League (IFL) team.
He spent the 2021 season with the team, and resigned for the 2022 campaign.
During training camp, he had a difficult conversation with his coaches.
Frisco’s staff told Thompson that playing time was unlikely, and that he could either ride the bench or be released.
Hours later, he got a call from Blizzard Head Coach Corey Roberson, saying Green Bay wanted to trade for him.
“At first, I was upset,” Thompson admitted.
However, he thought about it, and eventually agreed to sign with the Blizzard.
He made an immediate impact on Green Bay’s defensive line.
Halfway into the 2022 season, the Blizzard offensive line was struggling immensely.
After an abysmal performance in Quad City, it was clear the offensive line needed help.
Because he had taken some reps at offensive line during his time with Frisco — for emergency situations only — Thompson made a joke that he could play offensive line to help the Blizzard out.
The next week, he recalls joking around at practice, snapping the ball and practicing offensive lineman movements.
To his surprise, the coaches told him that they could try him at O-Line.
After years and thousands of reps on the defensive line, Thompson started at right guard for the Blizzard in their next game.
He did so well that he stayed on the offensive line for the rest of the season.
“It just kinda stuck,” he said. “I love it. I think it’s a lot of fun.”
Thompson re-signed with the Blizzard for the 2023 season, and has stuck with playing offensive line, bringing a unique perspective to the position.
“I see the game from a different point of view. I can use what I learned as a defensive lineman to my advantage,” he explained. “I know what the D-Lineman is going to do if I set a certain way, so sometimes I can beat them to it.”
Blizzard Offensive Line / Defensive Line Coach Dean Picotte praised Thompson’s versatility.
“Having him on the team has been an asset,” he said. “He has shown the ability to be versatile and effective on both sides of the ball.”
Thompson has grown to love Green Bay.
“Everyone is really nice here,” he said. We have amazing fans. I love going to the schools.”
It’s no surprise that Thompson is a frequent visitor at area schools, as he is a teacher himself.
During the pandemic, Texas experienced a major teacher shortage.
Thompson stepped up, taking positions that ranged from elementary phy ed to seventh-grade Texas history to Behavior Support Classroom.
“I love kids,” he said.
Thompson realizes that life has come full circle, from being the kid who didn’t care about school to now being a teacher.
“I want to make an impact. I always try to give kids words of advice, not to follow in my footsteps [of not taking school seriously],” he stated.
However, after earning his masters degree in kinesiology and sports administration, Thompson has his sights set on a different career path when he’s done with football.
“I’ve wanted to own my own gym since I was a junior high school,” he said. “I want to offer a lot of beneficial services at a low price for the common people.”
Wherever life takes him, Thompson is confident that he will end up where he’s supposed to be, embracing whatever opportunity life throws at him next.