Countdown to Kickoff: 32 Days (Anthony Thompson)

Written by: Alex Compton (@alexncompton)

#32

There are now 32 days remaining until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2016 season in Miami against the Florida International Golden Panthers. Join us each day for each part of our 100-day countdown to the opener! Next up, IU legend Anthony Thompson!

Anthony Thompson

-Height: 5’11”
-Weight: 207 pounds
-Hometown: Terre Haute, Indiana
-Position: Running Back

Is Anthony Thompson the greatest Indiana football player ever? The case can certainly be made for AT. 

He and fellow Hoosier great Antwaan Randle-El are the only Hoosiers to have his number retired. 

Over four years in Bloomington, Thompson totaled 5,299 yards on the ground and 67 rushing touchdowns. He averaged 112.7 yards per game, and 4.6 yards per carry. 

He is still the Indiana leader in rushing yards, carries, points and touchdowns.  He finished 8th in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1988, and came in 2nd to Andre Ware of Houston in 1989. Thompson was the IU MVP in those two seasons, and was also the Big Ten MVP in those seasons. 

He was the winner of three player of the year awards in 1989 as well, which is a major reason why many IU fans feel he was robbed of the Heisman in ’89. He won the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, and the Chic Harley Award. 

Not only was Thompson a beloved homegrown Hoosier, but he also got the respect he deserved on the national stage, which is something our recent great players have not gotten as much of. After his illustrious IU career, Thompson was selected in the second round by the Arizona Cardinals, and played in 37 games before he hung them up. 

Although his playing days are over, AT has been able to stay around the program and University. He now serves as the Associate Athletic Director for Engagement and Sports Performance, which allows him to keep close tabs on the football program. Coach Wilson has been gracious enough to include and involve Thompson, and I think that is a really great move by him. Any bit of knowledge that Thompson can pass on to the current batch of Hoosiers can do nothing but help the program. 

Anthony Thompson grew up a Hoosier, was a Hoosier, and is still a Hoosier. If you ask me, it couldn’t get any better.

Share any memories or expectations you have of Anthony Thompson as a player in the comments section (or on the message boards) and be sure to come back to Hoosier Huddle each day during our countdown!