Journeyman quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson has carved out a niche for himself in professional football. The American gridiron football player has had stints with five different NFL teams, two CFL teams, and one team in both the Arena Football League and the United Football League. He is currently the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL).
Born on July 3, 1988, Bethel-Thompson played college football at UCLA and Sacramento State. He is the grandson of the 1948 Olympic shot put champion Wilbur ‘Moose’ Thompson. His path to success has not been a straight line; however, the determined athlete has persevered through numerous challenges to establish himself as a respected player in the sport.
Bethel-Thompson’s professional career began with the San Jose SaberCats in the Arena Football League. Since then, he has played for teams such as the San Francisco 49ers, Sacramento Mountain Lions, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles. In the Canadian Football League, Bethel-Thompson has been a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Toronto Argonauts, winning two Grey Cup championships with the latter team.
His high school career at San Francisco’s Balboa High School saw him excel in football, basketball, and baseball. He was named the City’s Football Player of the Year in 2006 and its Back of the Year in 2005. Bethel-Thompson led his team to the Turkey Bowl, the City’s annual championship, held on Thanksgiving Day in Kezar Stadium, in 2004 and 2005.
Throughout his career, Bethel-Thompson has displayed a remarkable ability to adapt to various leagues and teams. His journey has been marked by persistence, hard work, and an unwavering belief in his abilities. Now, as the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Breakers in the USFL, he has the opportunity to continue building on his legacy and leave an indelible mark on the sport of football.
