Norm Thompson

Norman Jack Thompson (born March 5, 1945) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Baltimore Colts.

Biography Early life

Norm Thompson was born March 5, 1945, in San Francisco, California. He attended Galileo High School in that city.

College career

After high school graduation he first attended Laney Junior College in Oakland. He transferred to the Utah Utes football in 1969, where he turned in a historic season, intercepting five balls and running three of them back for touchdowns, including a 97-yarder against the University of Wyoming. Thompson's three interceptions returned for touchdown tied an NCAA record dating back to 1939, when Missouri defensive halfback Bud Schwenk managed the feat.

Professional career

He began his career as a right cornerback for the Cardinals, starting 5 times and seeing action in all 14 games during his 1971 rookie campaign. He also returned punts and kickoffs,

After picking off 4 passes as a rookie, Thompson was relatively quiet for two seasons, intercepting just one ball in 1972 and none in 1973. The 1977 contract between the 32-year old Thompson and the Colts called for a salary of $64,900 — $100 less than the threshold for a compensatory second round draft pick — and included a "no trade" clause that the Cardinals were unwilling to match.