Thompson revived Green Bay during his tenure as its GM
ATLANTA, Texas — Former Green Bay Packers General Manager and Atlanta native Ted Thompson died last week in his home with family present. He was 68.
Thompson announced in May 2019 that he had been diagnosed with autonomic nerve disorder.
From 2005-17, Thompson served as Packers GM, taking over the duties for Mike Sherman. Thompson had great success in drafting Green Bay players, including current Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers. On the team’s 2010-11 championship roster, Thompson had brought in 49 of the 53 players.
“Ted lived a life of true Christian humility in a world where it’s more common to proclaim one’s own greatness,” Packers President/ CEO Mark Murphy said in a statement. “Those who knew him well admired his brilliance as a scout and his extraordinary ability to find players of good character. He was slyly funny and a loyal and true friend. We will all miss him very much and we send our deepest sympathy to his family who loved and supported him throughout his life.”
He spent over two decades in the Green Bay front office, including being the director of pro personnel during the Packers’ 1996 Super Bowl win and following year, claiming the NFC title. During Thompson’s 13 years as General Manager, Green Bay won six NFC North titles and played in four NFC Championship games.
Since 2018, he has served as senior adviser to football operations.
“Ted is the leader of our operations,” former Packers and current Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said after Green Bay’s win over Chicago in the NFC Championship Game in 2011. “He’s why this team is in the shape that it’s in and why the future looks so bright. I don’t know if there’s another GM that’s on the road as much as Ted. He’s out there every week. And you know when he selects a player in the draft, it’s someone that’s well-researched.”
Thompson was a standout at Southern Methodist University and played linebacker for the Houston Oilers for 10 years.
Thompson was a threeyear starter at SMU and team captain his senior year. In addition to playing linebacker, he was the Mustangs’ placekicker his senior season. He also lettered as an outfielder on the SMU baseball team and earned Academic All-Southwest Conference honors after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
“I always appreciated his steady hand and the conversations that we would have,” Rodgers said in a statement last week. “He always made things pretty clear about what he expected from the team and what he expected from me. He always preached to put the team first, to not be a distraction, to be a good teammate, to be a good professional, and I always appreciated those comments.”