Central Michigan University Athletics
Tony Thompson Profile
10/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 13, 2005
By Jon Lences
Sports Information Student Assistant
What do the words aggressive, determined and passionate all have in common? They all accurately describe Central Michigan University senior defensive tackle Tony Thompson.
Most football players started out playing when they were at a very young age. This is not the case for Thompson. Due to a weight limit restriction throughout elementary school, Thompson was unable to play football until he transferred schools in seventh grade. When asked what position he could play, like most young kids, he answered, "quarterback." After the first practice, it was obvious that he would not be a quarterback, and he was placed on the defensive line and offensive line. This position fit him well and he has been playing there ever since.
After dominating along the offensive and defensive lines for three years in high school, college scouts started contacting Thompson about the universities they represented and how they could use his influence and skills for their teams. He visited CMU and fell in love with the campus, coaches, players and overall atmosphere that was present here.
Thompson has always loved to fish, hunt and engage in any outdoor activity, which has led to his majoring in outdoor recreation.
"I love to be outside around nature, not in an office-type setting," he said. "It is something that is relaxing and has always appealed to me."
As most players would answer, Thompson hopes that the team will be able to win the MAC Championship and get entry into a bowl game, but he goes a bit deeper than that. He is striving to be an All-MAC player this year and he also says that one of his major personal goals is to be able to stay healthy for the full season so that he can help his team have a great year.
This is something that he is looking forward to and determined to accomplish.
Thompson carries the attitude of every game on the schedule being a big game.
"I like that I have the opportunity to go out in every game and participate in the sport that I truly love," he said. Thompson realizes that in every football game, he is able to show off his true skills and abilities. But showing off is not one thing that is on Thompson's mind. He realizes that you can't win without a team and that everyone's individual talents are needed to accomplish that goal.
There is usually a funny story behind a person's nickname, and Thompson's is no different. He does not know when exactly he got his nickname, but simply remembers former CMU teammate Anthony Tyus calling him "pork chop" at practice one day. When Thompson finally realized that Tyus was calling him that, and just not saying it for the fun of it, he asked why that fit him as a good nickname. Tyus responded, "It's because you're a compacted, tough, piece of meat." At 6-foot-1, 298 pounds, that seems to fit Thompson well.
Looking back over his college athletic career, Tony has one moment that sticks out clearly. At a home game versus Northern Illinois, he sacked the quarterback to cause a major loss of yardage and fourth down play.
"The crowd went crazy. I was so excited and hyped up that I lost my breath and had to get off of the field before the next play," he said.
Thompson has formed many friendships with fellow players over the past four years and will miss being a part of the team following graduation.
"I'm going to miss the camaraderie of the guys, going out on Saturday and going through the ups and downs of the games. It's going to be hard to not be playing with them for another year," he said.
