Tommy Thompson (quarterback)

Lurtis Pryor "Tommy" Thompson (August 15, 1916 – April 22, 1989) was an American football quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League. He 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, and played college football at the University of Tulsa.

Thompson was an off-and-on starter for the Philadelphia Eagles, and 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 and he led to victory in the championship game over the defending champion Chicago Cardinals in a snowstorm, 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 inactive NFL quarterbacks with multiple championships who were not inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, along with Jim Plunkett and Jack Kemp. Ray Didinger of CSNPhilly ranked him in the Top 5 all-time Eagles quarterbacks, citing his contribution to the championship teams. It is projected under the Harlor Formula that Thompson would have made 3 Pro Bowls.

Thompson battled brain cancer for over a year and died in 1989 in Calico Rock, Arkansas.