Perseverance pays off as oft-injured Thompson looks forward to Bombers debut

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This article was published 07/06/2022 (1194 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An ACL tear could hamper any athlete’s career and another one in the same knee would make the odds of never playing again drastically go up, but that’s not the case for a Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back.

Twenty-six-year-old Malcolm Thompson battled back from the injury twice during his college career at Wilfred Laurier University en route to the Canadian Football League. The Windsor, Ont., native will potentially be Winnipeg’s starting safety in the team’s season-opener against the Ottawa Redblacks Friday night.

Thompson only has two CFL games under his belt, but with usual starter Brandon Alexander recovering from offseason ACL surgery, he could be in line for a big break.

“It’s honestly surreal,” said Thompson following the team’s practice Tuesday afternoon. “I’ve said it before, I always thought I could play in this league… I’m just blessed with the opportunity. It’s gonna be a fun time.”

Thompson played two games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2021 and was cut at season’s end before signing with Winnipeg this past January. However, he isn’t losing any sleep as the countdown to Friday’s season-opener continues.

“I’m actually getting good sleep because I want it to hurry up and get here,” he said. “I’m trying to get on that field and make some plays in front of that crazy crowd.”

He said teammates such as Noah Hallett along with Alexander have been mentors to him early in the season. They’ve helped him learn the playbook and break down film, adding he’s been welcomed to the team with open arms.

“They’ve really made me feel comfortable in the system and they’ve helped me so much,” he said.

Perseverance has played a key role in Thompson’s journey to Winnipeg, but he said his injury history isn’t something he dwells on.

“It’s obviously something in the back of your head saying ‘I battled through so many injuries and getting cut,’ but at the end of the day it’s made me into the person I am today,” he said.

He’s focused on the task at hand despite any pressure or nerves one might experience in their first career start. Thompson said he has been playing football since he was a kid and Friday’s season-opener is no different.

“It’s another football game… with added extra little things on the side,” said Thompson.

Pair progressing toward a return

Blue Bombers fullback Mike Miller and all-star defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat were limited participants in Tuesday’s practice after not participating in Monday’s session.

The pair were both listed as having ankle injuries on Winnipeg’s injury report released Tuesday. Jeffcoat is coming off of a season where he had 26 tackles, nine sacks, four forced fumbles and was named an all-star for the first time in his career.

Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea was optimistic about the prospect of Jeffcoat playing this week following the team’s practice Tuesday.

“We’ll see, that’s the hope,” said O’Shea.

Gavin.Axelrod@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: Gavin77axe