By David Hughes
TERRE HAUTE — Even at 40, Terre Haute native Anthony Thompson is being recognized for his outstanding football career.
On Wednesday, the College Football Hall of Fame announced that Thompson — known as “A.T.” back in his heyday as a record-breaking running back for Indiana University (1986-89) — is one of 14 former players and coaches who will be inducted in its 2007 class.
“This honor would not have been possible without coach [Bill] Mallory, his coaching staff and the support of my teammates,” Thompson said.
“Whenever I receive an accolade, I always reflect back on my relationship with them. I’m not going into the Hall of Fame because of Anthony Thompson; I’m going in because of all of those guys. It’s a great honor for Indiana University and everyone associated with the Indiana football program.”
Induction ceremonies will take place Dec. 4 at the National Football Foundation’s 50th annual awards dinner in New York. He is the fifth IU Hoosier to earn induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Zora Clevenger (1900-03), Pete Pihos (1942-43, 1945-46), George Taliaferro (1945, 1947-48) and John Tavener (1941-44).
Thompson, who works in fundraising for the IU athletic department and as a pastor at a Bloomington church, felt honored to be selected.
“I had never really thought about the College Football Hall of Fame,” said Thompson, who was notified of the selection by letter last week. “The highest honor for me was Indiana University retiring my jersey number [32].”
Having played youth football in Vigo County, Thompson set records for coach Wayne Stahley at Terre Haute North Vigo High School before he graduated in 1986.
At IU, A.T. earned first-team All-America honors as a junior and senior. A two-time Big Ten Conference rushing champion, he captured the NCAA rushing and scoring title during his senior campaign and was named the Walter Camp Foundation’s Player of the Year, the AFCA “Coaches Choice” Player of the Year, won the Maxwell Award as the nation’s finest college football player and finished second in the 1989 Heisman Trophy voting.
Thompson finished his collegiate career with 5,299 rushing yards, including 377 yards in a 1989 game at Wisconsin. He owned the Division I record for career touchdowns with 65 until the 1998 season when it was broken by Texas’ Ricky Williams. He also held the Big Ten record for points scored with 412, a total surpassed in 1999 by Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne.
After his IU career, Thompson was chosen by the Phoenix Cardinals in the second round of the 1990 NFL draft. He played for the Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams before signing a free-agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers, but he retired from football in July 1994 without ever playing for the 49ers.
Interestingly, Thompson and his wife Lori have three children — Anthony II, 13, Ciara, 11, and Jacob, 7 — who have never seen their father play football, not even on tape.
“I’m more interested in their games than dusting off my old tapes,” he told the Tribune-Star.
Thompson said a fair share of his family still lives in Terre Haute, including his brother Ernie and uncles Hubert and Denny Thompson, along with cousins and aunts. His wife’s parents, Stanley and Betty Russell, also reside in Terre Haute.
The rest of the 2007 Hall of Fame class consists of Oklahoma center Tom Brahaney (1970-72), Michigan defensive back Dave Brown (1972-74), Clemson linebacker Jeff Davis (1978-81), Central Michigan coach Herb Deromedi (1978-93), Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie (1981-84), Texas safety Johnnie Johnson (1976-79), Ohio State quarterback Rex Kern (1968-70), Penn State coach Joe Paterno (1966-present), Oregon running back/wide receiver Ahmad Rashad (1969-71), Houston defensive tackles Wilson Whitley (1973-76), Dartmouth linebacker Reggie Williams (1973-75), Southern California linebacker Richard Wood (1972-74) and Notre Dame defensive tackle Chris Zorich (1987-90).
The College Football Hall of Fame is in South Bend.
