Until the late 1980s, the Washington State football program wasn’t much to write home about.
From the program’s inception in 1894 to 1981, Washington State only appeared in three bowl games.
There were some winning records as well as talented players during that span, but the highlights were few and far between.
That began to change in 1975 when Jack Thompson arrived.
Thompson was a talented quarterback who excited crowds and set numerous NCAA records.
He was dubbed the “Throwin’ Samoan” due to his Samoan heritage and his inclination to throw the pigskin.
Although the Cougars would only have one winning season during Thompson’s tenure, his play sparked an interest in WSU football that attracted future prep quarterbacks.
The Throwin' Samoan, Jack Thompson. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/CC3s6CApIx
— Ken Gelman (@kengfunk) April 21, 2017
In 1979, Thompson was the third overall pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1979 NFL Draft.
He was a member of the 1981 team that came out of nowhere to face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XVI.
This is the story of Jack Thompson.
Growing Up in Western Washington
Jack Byron Thompson was born on May 19, 1956, in Tutuila, American Samoa.
Wishing a Happy Birthday to Cougar Legend and CAF member Jack Thompson! Have a great day @PapaThrow! #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/VJNNbVmKGp
— Cougar Athletic Fund (@CougarAthFund) May 19, 2016
When he was only a year old, the Thompson family moved to Washington state and settled in Seattle.
The area provided plenty of sports opportunities, and Thompson gravitated toward football.
He would attend Evergreen High School in the White Center suburb of Seattle and play lights-out at quarterback.
As he was wrapping up his senior year, Thompson had his eye on becoming a member of the University of Washington Huskies.
“I wanted to be a Husky,” said Thompson. “I used to watch the ‘Husky highlights’ on Sunday, and so I was a big Husky fan and a big Sonny Sixkiller fan.”
However, his attitude changed when the Washington coaching staff failed to show up for a pair of recruiting meetings at the Thompson residence.
“… when I was being recruited, they (Huskies) knew they had me in the bag. But when it came to a visit in my home, twice they said they were coming, and Coach Jim Owens said he was coming, and he never showed,” recalled Thompson. “It wasn’t a good deal. I didn’t like that they disrespected my folks. So I had my eyes elsewhere.”
Thompson’s college focus then shifted to Washington State University, which was located in Pullman, Washington, on the other side of the state.
After arriving on the WSU campus, Thompson’s host didn’t show, so he toured the campus himself.
“So I walked the campus myself,” Thompson said. “And you could sense this place was different. You could tell there was a difference, and a friendliness, and it really jumped out.”
By the time he finished his walk, Thompson knew he wanted to attend Washington State and play for the Cougars.
Frustrating Beginning Leads to Starter Role
After camp broke for the 1975 season, Thompson found himself on the bench watching from the sidelines.
He rarely played, attempting only 54 passes for 351 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
I like both versions of silver Cougar helmets; either script or logo. Hope we see it in script though…. It would remind us of the Bledsoe Snow Bowl Apple Cup; as well as the days of Jack Thompson; Ricky Turner, the Palouse Posse & more! pic.twitter.com/ailtVEeDOJ
— Jumpin' Jack Sparrow (@ImUrPirate) November 22, 2018
As the season (and boredom) progressed, Thompson thought very seriously about transferring.
During the final game of the year against the Washington Huskies, Thompson had all but made up his mind that he was leaving.
“When that game was happening, myself and (receiver) Mike Levenseller were on the sidelines, and saying we should transfer, because we were thinking, what are the chances of us getting on the field? So we were thinking of going to UPS (Puget Sound) or San Diego State,” Thompson said. “We were running the option offense and it really wasn’t my forte.”
Only hours after the 1975 Apple Cup, head coach Jim Sweeney resigned.
In turn, Thompson and Levenseller both decided to stay and see who would be the new head coach.
The “Throwin’ Samoan”
Washington State hired University of Pittsburgh assistant, Jackie Sherrill, before the 1976 season and Sherrill named Thompson the starter.
Although the Cougars suffered through their fourth consecutive losing season with a 3-8 record, Thompson passed for 2,762 yards (a collegiate career best), 20 touchdowns, and 14 picks.
… Should’ve mentioned that during that same era in late 70’s in Pullman; the world was also about to discover what WSU Cougar fans already knew. That Jack Thompson had high level skills & leadership abilities, & would lead WSU to many upset victories. https://t.co/fgdmH7UHRV pic.twitter.com/m5fmCIXoq0
— Jumpin' Jack Sparrow (@ImUrPirate) March 14, 2021
He also scored two touchdowns on the ground.
Along the way, Thompson set six PAC-8 and WSU records.
Levenseller was glad he stuck around as well as he led the team with 1,124 receiving yards.
Thompson’s play in ’76 was so good that a local writer felt compelled to give him a nickname and dubbed the quarterback the “Throwin’ Samoan.”
“I knew the guy who tagged me with it, Harry Missildine (of the Spokesman-Review), and I didn’t think anything of it,” remarked Thompson in 2018. “It was pretty true. I am Samoan and I threw the ball. In these politically correct days, people might have a problem with it, but that’s their problem, not mine. I am proud of it, and my dad, frankly, loved it.”
After the 1976 season, Sherrill went back to Pittsburgh to become the Panthers’ new head coach.
In his stead, the Cougars hired Warren Powers.
Powers’ philosophy was, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’ and he kept the passing attack with Thompson in the lead.
The 1977 season began with an upset of 15th-ranked Nebraska followed by a victory over Michigan State in Lansing, Michigan.
WSU would only win four of their remaining nine games, but the program ended the season with a 6-5 record, its first winning season since 1972.
Thompson passed for 2,372 yards that year along with 13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and four rushing scores.
New Coach, Similar Results
Once the season concluded, Powers decided to head south to become the new head coach of the Missouri Tigers.
That meant Thompson would have a fourth head coach in as many years.
WSU hired Jim Walden, and the Cougars went 4-6-1 during the 1978 season.
Thompson continued playing at a high level despite all the coaching changes.
In ’78, he passed for 2,333 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions along with three rushing scores.
During his four-year collegiate career, Thompson completed 601 passes for 7,818 yards, 53 touchdowns, and 49 interceptions.
Jack Thompson appreciation post…
WSU Career:
• 7,818 passing yards
• 53 passing touchdowns
• 2x first-team all Pac-8/10
• Ninth in Heisman voting in 1978
• Jersey retired in Pullman@PapaThrow will always be a Cougar legend… pic.twitter.com/XlJsAq4cSX— Cougar Sports Network (@CougSportsNet) July 12, 2020
He also had 10 rushing touchdowns.
Thompson’s passing yards set an NCAA record, and his 7,698 yards of total offense during his career was the third highest total in NCAA history.
Additionally, Thompson’s passing yardage during his junior year passed the 5,000-yard mark, which was an NCAA first.
As a Cougar, Thompson was named all-conference three times and was named an All-American three times.
Thompson also finished ninth in the 1978 Heisman Trophy balloting and his number 14 would eventually be retired by WSU.
He was inducted into the Washington State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987.
Due to Thompson’s success, Washington State became a slightly less obscure destination for aspiring quarterbacks.
In the years after Thompson left the program, the Cougars saw the likes of Mark Rypien, Timm Rosenbach, Drew Bledsoe, Ryan Leaf, and Gardner Minshew come to WSU.
All played in the NFL. Minshew is currently a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Bledsoe and Rypien won at least one Super Bowl with their respective organizations.
Thompson, Bledsoe, and Leaf were all first-round draft picks and Rosenbach was a first-round supplemental pick in 1989.
The Godfather of Cougar QB's Jack Thompson looks thrilled 2 b joining us n Spokane @Northern #GoCougs Quest pic.twitter.com/lhD7v731
— Jason Puckett (@JasonPuckett20) April 20, 2012
Each quarterback has called Thompson the “Godfather” of WSU quarterbacks.
First Round Pick
The Cincinnati Bengals were a mess.
After the 1975 season ended, franchise founder and coach Paul Brown retired from the sidelines and moved upstairs to the management side.
For the next three years, Cincinnati’s record only got worse, going from 10 wins to eight, then four.
Former Pro Bowler and NFL Passing Yards Leader Ken Anderson was faltering as the franchise quarterback.
He struggled with ineffectiveness and injuries, and by the end of 1978, Brown believed Anderson’s best days were behind him.
Brown and his scouts started actively looking for Anderson’s replacement and liked what they saw in the signal caller from Washington State.
At the same time, the New York Giants also had a strong interest in the Throwin’ Samoan.
In fact, the G-men planned to draft Thompson with their seventh pick in the 1979 NFL Draft.
That’s when the Bengals made their move.
“I remember talking to (Giants coach) Ray Perkins and he said, ‘Have your bags packed and ready to come to New York,’ ” Thompson said. “Cincinnati surprised everybody by taking me.”
Sure enough, the Bengals traded up and drafted Thompson with the third overall pick of the draft.
1979 #Bengals draft
Round 1 – Jack Thompson
Round 1 – Charles Alexander
Round 2 – Dan Ross
Round 6 – Steve Kreider
Round 7 – Max MontoyaWe will be talking to Jack about his draft class tonight on Talking football w Bengal Jim & Friends
Subscribe https://t.co/t30OQESPpP pic.twitter.com/VT5eKD8ZYB
— Bengal Jim’s BTR (@bengaljims_BTR) March 28, 2021
It was obvious that Paul Brown wanted Thompson to push Anderson for the starter’s role and eventually replace Anderson as the franchise’s quarterback.
During Thompson’s rookie year in 1979, Anderson played just well enough to keep Thompson off the field.
That season, the Throwin’ Samoan mostly watched from the sidelines and started only one game.
He would complete 39 passes for 481 yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions.
Thompson also rushed the ball 21 times for 116 yards and five scores.
During his short time behind center, Thompson was sacked 16 times.
More Playing Time in 1980
The following year, Cincinnati drafted USC tackle Anthony Munoz to try and keep their quarterbacks upright.
Anderson and Thompson continued to fight for playing minutes.
With Anderson struggling with consistency (he would throw six touchdowns and 13 picks that year), Thompson tried to pry the starter role away from him.
During a Week 3 game against the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers, Thompson entered the contest in relief of Anderson.
He passed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to push the Bengals to a 30-28 comeback victory.
1980 Cincinnati Bengals
Jack Thompson pic.twitter.com/YpQKn5S6s5— Daily Backup QB (@dailybackupqb) October 24, 2021
Thompson would get four starts in 1980, completing fewer than half his passes for 1,324 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
Thankfully, with the help of Munoz, Thompson was only sacked 13 times.
Anderson Is Reborn
Initially, 1981 didn’t start out as anything special for the Bengals.
The organization drafted Florida receiver Cris Collinsworth in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft to pair with veteran receiver Isaac Curtis.
However, the Bengals had been 6-10 in 1980 and 4-12 in 1979, so no one believed the team would fare much better in ’81.
As the preseason got underway, Thompson thought the Bengals were his team to lead.
That, unfortunately, wouldn’t be the case.
“That season (1980), I knew I belonged, but the following season, I had my sights on getting the starting job,” Thompson said. “I was competing my butt off for the job and lost a shot at it in the last preseason game.”
During the final preseason game, Thompson sustained a serious ankle injury that required him to miss the first few weeks of the season.
Then, during the first game of the season against Seattle, Anderson played like a rookie, throwing three interceptions before halftime.
Head coach Forrest Gregg benched Anderson for third-string quarterback Turk Schonert since Thompson was still injured.
Sad news today.
Hall Of Fame lineman and ex-HC of the #Bengals, Forrest Gregg, has passed away. His most successful year in Cincinnati was 1981, where he took the team to the Superbowl.
All Bengals fans in the UK send condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/7eGOrh3fQa
— Bengals UK (@WhoDey_UK) April 12, 2019
Schonert helped Cincy overcome Anderson’s picks and beat the Seahawks 27-21.
Before Week 2, it was obvious that Anderson’s job was on the line, and he stepped up.
“I was in a quarterback meeting talking to Kenny and I remember him looking at me and saying, ‘I need to be the starter,’ ” Thompson said. “He was resolved. I said, ‘Why don’t you go talk to Forrest and be done with it?’ He did, then went into that New York game and had a great game and we were off and running. I got to witness his ‘Phoenix’ moment. I have nothing but respect for that.”
After recognizing his playing mortality was on the line, Anderson resumed the starter’s role and led the Bengals to a 12-4 season.
HBD to the former QB of the Cincinnati Bengals, Ken Anderson🎉
Look at that mask😄
4x Pro-Bowler
1981 MVP, Offensive POY, and Comeback POY #Bengals @Bengals_News pic.twitter.com/kfkHR2jAb6— Goat Jerseys (@GoatJerseys) February 16, 2019
He experienced a career resurgence and passed for league highs in several categories.
Additionally, Anderson also passed for career bests in yardage (3,754) and touchdowns (29).
His play that season led to accolades including NFL MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year.
The Bengals Reach the Super Bowl as Thompson Watches
Of course, Anderson’s steady play meant that Thompson rode the bench in ’81.
He appeared in eight games but did not start any and passed for 267 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Thompson was able to get a few snaps in the AFC Championship game against the San Diego Chargers, which just so happened to be one of the coldest playoff days on record.
“It was horribly miserable,” Thompson laughed. “We had guys out there without shirts on and I remember thinking, ‘That’s not good.’ When I took my first breath, it felt like I swallowed a ball of needles. It hurt to breathe.”
After the Bengals crushed the Chargers 27-7 in the “Freezer Bowl,” Cincinnati moved on to Super Bowl XVI to face the San Francisco 49ers.
"It was electric."#WSU legend Jack Thompson reminisces on Bengal career, '82 Super Bowl.
Thompson returned to Cincy in the fall, when the team hosted a 40-year reunion to commemorate its first AFC title.
"And sure enough, we're going to the Super Bowl."https://t.co/7favEBwJQ9 pic.twitter.com/RRUNAN8acv— Colton Clark (@SpokesmanClark) February 13, 2022
For an organization not used to winning, a Super Bowl berth was exciting, to say the least.
“It was electric,” Thompson recalled in 2022.
By halftime of the title game, it looked like the Bengals were horribly overmatched, down 20-0 to Joe Montana and the ’Niners.
Then, the second half began and Cincy played like a team possessed.
“It was just an intensely played game,” recalled Thompson. “On the other side was the beginning of the rise of Joe Montana. Kenny played like he had all season. Once he got in his groove, we knew we had a shot at it.”
The Bengals scored 21 points in the second half to San Francisco’s six.
It was too little, too late, however, as the 49ers hung on to win 26-21.
Thompson Becomes a Buccaneer, then Retires
In 1982, Thompson was an afterthought on the Cincy roster. He appeared in only one game and posted zero stats.
After the season, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
June 2, 1983 – The Bengals trade away "The Throwing Samoan," QB Jack Thompson, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for their first-round pick in 1984.
📙This Day In #Bengals History by Geoff Hobson pic.twitter.com/AM3w7Cmcqf
— 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 🐯⚓ (@BengalsCaptain) June 2, 2021
The Bucs had a good quarterback in Doug Williams who led the franchise to the brink of a Super Bowl appearance in 1979.
A vicious contract dispute with the organization, along with the sudden death of Williams’s wife, led Williams to leave Tampa Bay for the United States Football League.
Thompson was brought in to become the starter and played well.
For the first time in his professional career, Thompson completed over 50% of his passes for 2,906 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions.
Tampa Bay would finish the ’83 season 2-14.
Before the 1984 season began, the Bucs signed former Denver quarterback Steve DeBerg and also selected BYU quarterback Steve Young in the supplemental draft.
Thompson started five games and passed for 337 yards, two touchdowns, and five picks.
He was eventually replaced by DeBerg as Tampa Bay improved to 6-10.
When the season ended, Thompson decided he’d had enough of pro football and retired.
During his six-year career, Thompson started 21 games, completed 53% of his passes, and threw for 5,315 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 45 interceptions.
He also had 262 rushing yards and six rushing scores.
After Football
After he retired, Thompson eventually returned to Washington and settled in the Seattle area.
He became a volunteer quarterbacks coach at a local high school and got into banking.
Thompson was an executive with Umpqua Bank before moving to a mortgage firm.
In 2013, he was elected to the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.
Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Inductees Jesse Sapolu, Ma'a Tanuvasa & Jack Thompson at the home of Robert Lewis Stevenson in Apia, Samoa. pic.twitter.com/DYfrnPYdWm
— Polynesian Football (@PolynesianFBHOF) June 14, 2017
Although he never met expectations as an NFL quarterback, Thompson recalls his years as a pro with fondness.
He also considers the Bengals his team.
“That’s the team I claim,” he said. “I was never a Bengals fan before I got drafted, but when I was drafted, my allegiance was built once I became close to my teammates. We had great teammates.”
Thompson still lives in Seattle and has been married to his wife, Molly, for more than 40 years. The couple has two children.
References
https://pac-12.com/article/2013/10/09/jack-thompson-elected-polynesian-football-hall-fame
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomJa00.htm
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/4/27/8385499/no-4-bengals-draft-bust-of-all-time-jack-thompson
https://wsucougars.com/honors/hall-of-fame/jack-thompson/46
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jack-thompson-1.html
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/feb/12/it-was-electric-former-wsu-quarterback-jack-thomps/
Do you still put on a football clinic in New Zealand?