I was invited to attend Thursday’s chapel session at Calvary Christian to watch former Detroit Lion tight end Jordan Thompson speak to the school’s students.
It was refreshing to see a professional athlete freely open up about his faith and his struggles.
Former Detroit Lion football player Jordan Thompson spoke to the Calvary Christian students Thursday morning, sharing his struggles with adversity to reach the NFL. Thompson was a standout athlete at Parkway High School before playing college football at Ohio University. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MATT HAMMOND)
Thompson is a native of Rockford and attended Parkway High School. He was a two-sport standout at Parkway, excelling in football and baseball. He told the Calvary students that he was inspired to earn a college athletic scholarship after he lost his father at a young age. He didn’t want to put a financial burden on his mother, so he was intent on finding a way to go to college without having to pay for it.
He made good on his goal by earning a football scholarship to Ohio University as a tight end. Despite suffering major shoulder and knee injuries while playing for the Bobcats, he had a successful career and elicited interest from NFL teams.
He said he relied on his faith in God and a strong work ethic to get through the tough times.
After being turned away by the Chiefs, Raiders and Green Bay Packers, Thompson eventually got a call from the Detroit Lions. He worked out for the Lions and they liked what they saw. He was signed and spent 2 1/2 years playing in Detroit.
EXAMINING SPORTS, exclusively in Friday’s Examiner.
CLICK HERE to subscribe today!
WEB EDITION STARTING AT $9.50 FOR 5 WEEKS!