Longtime Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson died at the age of 68 late Wednesday night, and many people around the pro football world are grieving.
In addition to playing for the Houston Oilers from 1975 to 1984, Thompson enjoyed a long career as an NFL executive, primarily in the Packers front office.
Former Packers GM Ted Thompson dies at age 68
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news of Thompson’s death, which was later confirmed by Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur, per Packers beat reporter Rob Demovsky:
Thompson had been diagnosed with autonomic disorder in 2017, which led to him resigning as GM — a position he’d held since 2005. Since then, he was serving as a senior advisor to football operations for the Pack.
In his first year on the job as GM, Thompson patiently waited in the 2005 NFL Draft for Aaron Rodgers to fall to the Packers at the 24th overall pick. Despite having superstar quarterback Brett Favre already on the roster, Thompson made the tough call to pick Rodgers, who, as Favre’s successor, has provided almost unmatched stability at the sport’s most important position in Green Bay.
Beyond the major Rodgers acquisition, though, Thompson played a large part in constructing the rosters for two Bowl championship teams. The 1996 Packers who won Super Bowl XXXI had Thompson as their director of pro personnel, and Green Bay also won Super Bowl XLV during Thompson’s tenure as general manager.
Thompson had worked in Green Bay’s front office from 1992 through 1999 in a few different personnel roles before becoming the Seattle Seahawks’ vice president of football operations from 2000 through 2004. He’s had a lot to do with the current Packers team that’ll soon play in the NFC Championship Game.