Former Packers manager Ted Thompson passed away on Wednesday night, coach Matt LaFleur confirmed. He was 68.
Thompson spent 21 of his 26 years in an NFL front office with the Packers, winning Super Bowl rings in 1996 as a director of professional staff and in 2010 as general manager. One of Thompson’s first decisions as general manager was to draft Aaron Rodgers (quarterback) selected first round despite Brett Favre still playing in his best time in 2005.
The decision prompted the Packers to switch from one Hall of Fame fullback to another. After sitting on the bench for the first three seasons for Rodgers, 37, he will play in his fifth NFC championship game on Sunday and have the Packers on the verge of a Super Bowl appearance.
“His impact is still felt to this day when we look at our roster, but I think he has had a huge impact among a lot of people across the league when you look at the other GMs who have learned under him,” LaFleur said Thursday. said.
“We are definitely sitting here today with heavy hearts. I’ve only had a few opportunities to meet him in the last few years, but I know just how important he was to many people in this building. “
The Packers set a 125-82-1 record and played nine playoff games over Thompson’s 13 seasons as general manager.
Thompson was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2019. According to ESPN, he has revealed that he suffers from an autonomic disorder, a condition that causes weakness and cognitive problems.