Weegie Thompson Explained

Weegie Thompson
Number:87
Position:Wide receiver
Birth Date:21 March 1961
Birth Place:Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lb:212
High School:Midlothian
(Midlothian, Virginia)
College:Florida St.
Draftyear:1984
Draftround:4
Draftpick:108
Pastteams:
Statlabel1:Receptions
Statvalue1:79
Statlabel2:Receiving yards
Statvalue2:1,377
Statlabel3:Touchdowns
Statvalue3:11
Pfr:ThomWe00

Willis Hope "Weegie" Thompson (born March 21, 1961) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played high school football for Midlothian High School in Richmond, Virginia. He was recruited by Florida State University as a quarterback.

College statistics

Professional career

Thompson was selected in the fourth round of the 1984 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.[2] Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott gushes when he talks about Thompson. In Thompson's rookie season, 1984, the Steelers were the only team to beat the 49ers. One reason they did was by assigning Thompson to block Lott on every play. "He blocked my butt all day -- and fair," Lott remembered. "Every play, he came after me. And I respect the hell out of Weegie Thompson to this day. He's one of the toughest guys I ever played against."[3]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesReceiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
PIT16 7 17 291 17.1 59 3
PIT16 0 8 138 17.3 42 1
PIT16 4 17 191 11.2 20 5
PIT12 3 17 313 18.4 63 1
PIT16 11 16 370 23.1 50 1
PIT16 0 4 74 18.5 28 0
92 25 79 1,377 17.4 63 11

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesReceiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
PIT2 0 1 15 15.0 15 0
PIT2 1 1 23 23.0 23 0
4 1 2 38 19.0 23 0

Personal

Thompson is called Weegie because his Father, Willis Sr., was nicknamed Weegie when his younger brother couldn't pronounce Willis. It came out Weegie. So, Weegie is Weegie Jr. (Willis).[4]

After his playing days, Thompson took a position with Chambers Development before moving on to work as a salesman with Waste Management in Midlothian, Virginia.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Weegie Thompson College Stats.
  2. Web site: 1984 NFL Draft Listing . October 12, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  3. News: No. 1: The Vicious Gentleman . November 17, 2008 . Miller . Ira . July 26, 2000. SFGate.
  4. News: Where are they now? Weegie Thompson . January 18, 2011 . Emert . Rich . September 9, 2003 . PostGazette.com.