Darwin Thompson

BIOGRAPHY

Celebrating the illustrious athletic career of Darwin Thompson, we delve into the journey of this quintessential embodiment of relentless pursuit and admirable sportsmanship in the world of professional American football. Born on February 12, 1997, Darwin Thompson loomed in the echoes of several NFL stadia as a formidable running back. Despite being a free agent today, Thompson’s vibrant sporting journey, brimming with stellar performances, emanates formidable proof of his prowess and success across different stages of his football career.

Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Thompson’s early exploits in football were well-furnished at Jenks High School. Displaying an astute knack for the game in his senior year in 2014, Thompson charged ahead with a stellar 942 yards and 10 impressive touchdowns on 152 carries as a backup running back, helping make his team Class 6A-I state champions. He got accolades as a three-star football recruit, ranked 16th in the list of the highest-rated recruits in Oklahoma by the 247Sports Composite. Despite these noteworthy high-school feats, Thompson didn’t get any NCAA Division I scholarship offers.

Determined to prove his mettle and armed with passionate conviction, Thompson headed to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College – an established junior college in Miami, Oklahoma. Sitting out the 2015 season, he made a thunderous return in 2016 as a redshirt freshman, charting an impressive 1,029 rushing yards and nine touchdowns over 150 attempts. In his sophomore year, Thompson was crowned as the Offensive MVP of the Southwest Junior Football Conference and an NJCAA second-team All-American, courtesy of his phenomenal performance of 1,391 yards and eight touchdowns that year. His cumulative career rushing yards of 2,420 made him the second-highest scorer in the college’s history.

Following his triumphant stint at junior college, Thompson once again emerged as a three-star recruit, recognized as the country’s best JUCO all-purpose back enlisted by 247Sports. He committed to Utah State University in December 2017 and showcased his adroit skills in his lone Utah State season. In the 2018 season, Thompson undertook a pivotal role in the team’s efforts, starting in nine games and participating in 13. His admittedly best game was on November 3, where he careered through a record 140 yards and three touchdowns against Hawaii, earning him the accolade of Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week. The season concluded with a sum of 1,044 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns enveloped within 153 attempts. His remarkable performance resulted in a second-team All-Mountain West Conference selection.

The defining moment of his career came when the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the 2019 NFL draft’s sixth round (chosen as the 214th overall pick). A vibrant period dawned for Thompson’s career as he debuted his rookie year, appearing in twelve games. He recorded an impressive 37 carries, amassing 128 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, coupled with nine receptions for 43 receiving yards. His shining moment came in the playoffs’ Divisional Round versus the Houston Texans when he recovered a fumble, aiding the Chiefs in a decisive 51–31 victory. The streak continued as the team ascended to acquire their Super Bowl LIV win against the San Francisco 49ers, adding the prestigious title to Thompson’s already sparkling career.

Progressing onto the 2020 season, Thompson’s athletic brilliance unfurled during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17 where he compiled 110 scrimmage yards, a rushing touchdown, and a receiving touchdown. However, a slight rough patch ensued as Thompson was released on August 31, 2021.

Not one to back down from challenges, Thompson continued his professional journey by signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad on September 2, 2021. Despite being released on January 13, 2022, his connection with his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs, brought him back onto their practice squad a day later. On February 16, 2022, Thompson agreed on a reserve/future contract with the Seattle Seahawks, though he was unfortunately waived on August 30, 2022. Following a brief period on the practice squad, he was once again offered a reserve/future contract on January 17, 2023, only to be waived again on April 17, 2023. As of August 12, 2023, Thompson allied with the Las Vegas Raiders, but his stint with the team was cut short when he got waived on August 27.

Darwin Thompson’s life transcends his football career and his legacy extends into personal life as the son of Rueben and Lashonne Thompson. David Thompson – his uncle and former St. Louis Rams and Oklahoma State running back – features as another significant flag bearer of their sporting lineage. Furthermore, Thompson’s Christian beliefs have been a significant component of his life, providing him with strength, resilience, and enduring faith in his journey through the trials and triumphs of his professional football career.