Doylestown native Colin Thompson’s task in 2021 is trying to top a season in which his lifelong dream came true.
During his first year with the Carolina Panthers, after playing in the XFL, AAF and attempting to catch on with multiple NFL teams, Thompson appeared in the Panthers’ final 15 games, starting four, at tight end and on special teams.
Running back Christian McCaffrey scored a 1-yard run on Thompson’s first — and only — NFL play in Carolina’s Sept. 20 loss to the Buccaneers in which he went in motion to the right and McCaffrey ended up reaching the end zone beneath Thompson. But that was merely a prelude to Thompson’s shining moment.
In a Nov. 15 home defeat to Tampa Bay, Thompson caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater on first and goal midway through the opening quarter on his first NFL touch. Primarily a run blocker, Thompson became the fifth player in Panthers’ history to reach the end zone on his first reception with the team.
It turned out to be his lone catch of the year.
The play was called “duo pass.” When Bridgewater announced it in the huddle, fellow tight end Ian Thomas tapped him and said, “Here we go,” because Thompson was the first read.
Thompson sold the idea it would be a run by briefly blocking Bucs’ safety Jordan Whitehead on his way to the front corner of the end zone.
“He bit more than I thought he would. I was like ‘I’m out’ and did a quick swim move on him,” Thompson said during a 40-minute chat. “The wind was really blowing that day and the ball started spinning like a punt.”
With safety Antoine Winfield Jr. closing in, the 6-foot-4, 257-pound Thompson came back for the ball and secured it just before Winfield Jr. arrived.
“I kind of caught it like a punt,” Thompson said. “It all worked out.”
Thompson, a former Archbishop Wood and Temple University standout, celebrated with his teammates on the field, joined the extra-point team and then enjoyed the aftermath when he reached the sideline. During those two minutes or so, all of his football trials and tribulations went through his mind and added to the play’s meaning.
“It’s just real,” said the 27-year-old Thompson. “I remember catching the ball and landing on the ground and like ‘Wow, I just had a touchdown catch in the NFL.’ It had significance because so many people supported me — it’s taken a village to get me here.”
With that in mind, Thompson called the Plumsteadville Pub in Central Bucks, C-View Inn in Cape May, New Jersey, and Shots & Giggles, which is owned by uncle Steve Kibbe in Key West, afterward and bought a round of drinks as a thank you to all of the family and friends who had been watching the game and helped him on his journey.
“It’s something I’ll never forget,” Thompson said. “It was very unique, to say the least.”
Former Archbishop Wood associate head coach Mike Carey, who was a longtime coach at Central Bucks West, marvels at Thompson’s resilience.
“Of all the great players I have coached, Colin surely is in the top 10,” Carey said. “But in terms of tenacity, stick-to-itiveness and a burning desire to succeed, he is No. 1. I don’t know how many times I thought ‘Well, I guess he’s done as he has been with a bunch of teams in the last five years,’ but no — he kept at it and found his fit with the Panthers.”
Thompson finished the Panthers’ 5-11 season having logged 183 plays from scrimmage, more than twice of which were runs than passes, and another 136 plays on special teams. His high was 24 plays from scrimmage at tight end and H-back against the Vikings on Nov. 29.
Having played for Panthers first-year coach Matt Rhule at Temple helped Thompson, a Doylestown resident, get an opportunity, but he had to show he could produce and was worthy of expanded responsibilities.
“It was very humbling to get more playing time, have a legitimate role and be trusted,” Thompson said.
Married June 25 to Sydney DuPre, a former women’s lacrosse player he met during his two years at the University of Florida, in Cape May, Thompson and his wife are delaying the honeymoon until after Carolina’s 2021 campaign so he can prepare for the July 28 start of training camp.
In the meantime, he remains an assistant coach with the Lower Cape May County High School football team.
Thompson earned $610,000 last season. He signed a one-year extension for $780,000 on Jan. 4, which was the day after the season ended, though it’s not guaranteed.
In the offseason, the Panthers signed free agent tight end Dan Arnold from the Cardinals to a two-year, $6 million contract and drafted Tommy Tremble from Notre Dame in the third round to join Thomas for what could be three spots on the 53-man roster.
Having to earn his way is nothing new for Thompson.
“Last year laid the foundation, but it doesn’t really matter — I have to prove it,” Thompson said. “It’s a new season. I’m excited and confident. We have a really good group of tight ends in Carolina. Hopefully, I’ll be around to see it out.
“My dream came true last year. I’m going to try to continue living it this year.”
Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly
