Former Packers executive vice president, general manager and director of football operations Ted Thompson has died in his home of Atlanta, Texas, Head Coach Matt LaFleur said Thursday.
Thompson was the Packers’ general manager during the 2010 season when they won their last Super Bowl. He was in that position from 2005-17. Thompson drafted many notable players on the current roster. That list includes two-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Thompson revealed he was diagnosed with an autonomic disorder in 2019. That year, he was also inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
In 2017, his declining health caused him to step down from his position for the Packers that he held for 12 years.
Under Thompson's guidance, the Packers had four NFC Championship appearances, and a victory in Super Bowl XLV in 2011.
Just got this text from @BrettFavre to share on the passing of former GM Ted Thompson: “Sad news of the passing of Ted today. Ted was a friend and should be remembered as a very important piece to the @packers present day success!!!” #Packers #RIP pic.twitter.com/krPi7zHyTK
— Lance Allan (@lanceallan) January 21, 2021
Thompson served as the Packers' executive vice president, general manager and director of football operations for 13 seasons (2005-17).
“Ted lived a life of true Christian humility in a world where it’s more common to proclaim one’s own greatness,” said Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy. “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.”
To honor Thompson’s contributions, the Packers said they will install his name on the Lambeau Field façade before next season.
Thompson had a 10-season playing career as a linebacker with the Houston Oilers from 1975-1984, but he arguably made his biggest impact as an executive. He worked in Green Bay’s front office from 1992-99 and was the Seattle Seahawks’ vice president of football operations from 2000-04.
He returned to Green Bay in 2005. Mike Sherman had been working as Packers coach and general manager up to that point. The Packers decided to have Thompson take over the general manager duties while having Sherman remain as coach.
“This is not going to be where I’m going to walk around with a big sledgehammer like I’m ruling the roost,” Thompson said at the time. “Again, this is not a democracy. But it’s also a place where we’re going to work together.”
During Thompson’s first year as general manager, the Packers made the franchise-altering decision to select Rodgers with the 24th overall draft pick when they already had Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre on their roster. The move enabled the Packers to have a three-decade run of exceptional quarterback play.
With Thompson as general manager, the Packers made eight consecutive playoff appearances from 2009-16, including the Super Bowl season in 2010.
Thompson draft picks who remain on the roster include four All-Pro selections from this season: Rodgers, wide receiver Davante Adams, left tackle David Bakhtiari and center Corey Linsley. Rodgers was the only first-round pick in that group. Adams was drafted in the second round, Bakhtiari in the fourth and Linsley in the fifth.
Other notable current Packers drafted by Thompson: defensive tackle Kenny Clark, kicker Mason Crosby, and running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams.
“Certainly he’s a guy who’s held in the highest regard in this building and, I think, just around the league,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “He’s had a tremendous impact not only on people in this building, obviously Gutey (general manager Brian Gutekunst) but people in other departments as well. His impact is still felt to this day when you look at our roster, but I think he’s had a tremendous impact amongst many people across the league, when you look all the other GMs that have learned under him.”
Other Thompson draft picks who had productive careers with Green Bay before departing include linebacker Clay Matthews, offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga, wide receivers Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Greg Jennings,
“Ted had a quiet demeanor but his presence spoke volumes,” former Packers receiver James Jones tweeted. “Ted had a cold poker face, but I could always get him to crack a smile and shake his head … sometimes without saying a word.”
Thompson said that his health led him to step down as general manager after the 2017 season.
Thompson moved into a senior adviser role. Gutekunst, who had been working with Thompson as player personnel director, was promoted to general manager and remains in that position.
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid was an assistant coach with the Packers during Thompson’s first stint at Green Bay and referred to him Thursday as a “good friend.”
