Del Thompson facts for kids

Delbert Ray Thompson, born on February 21, 1958, is a former American professional football player. He played as a running back for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League (NFL). The Chiefs picked him in the fifth round of the 1982 NFL draft. Before turning pro, he played college football at three different schools. These were the University of Texas at Austin, Ranger College, and the University of Texas at El Paso.

Del Thompson's Early Life and College Football

Delbert Ray Thompson was born on February 21, 1958. His hometown is Kermit, Texas. He went to Hamlin High School in Hamlin, Texas.

Playing for College Teams

Thompson started his college football journey in 1977. He played for the Texas Longhorns at the University of Texas at Austin. During that time, he carried the ball five times for 32 yards. He also caught one pass for 18 yards and returned one punt for two yards.

Later, he moved to Ranger College. After that, he played for the UTEP Miners. He was a key player for the University of Texas at El Paso for two years, from 1980 to 1981.

Del Thompson's Professional Football Career

The Kansas City Chiefs chose Del Thompson in the 1982 NFL draft. He was the 130th player picked overall, in the fifth round.

Time with the Kansas City Chiefs

Thompson played in six games for the Chiefs during the 1982 NFL season. He carried the ball four times for a total of seven yards. He also returned two kicks for 41 yards. He even recovered one fumble during his time on the field.

On August 23, 1983, he was placed on the injured reserve list. This means he couldn't play due to an injury. The Chiefs then released him on March 20, 1984.

Short Time with the New York Jets

After leaving the Chiefs, the New York Jets picked him up. This happened on April 10, 1984. However, his time with the Jets was short. They released him on July 13, 1984.