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Former Packers general manager Ted Thompson died Wednesday night, coach Matt LaFleur confirmed. He was 68 years old.
Thompson spent 21 of his 26 years in an NFL front office with the Packers, winning the Super Bowl rings as director of professional personnel in 1996 and as general manager in 2010. One of the first decisions Thompson as general manager was to draft quarterback Aaron Rodgers with a first-round pick despite Brett Favre still playing at his peak in 2005.
The move prompted the Packers to move from one Hall of Fame quarterback to another. After sitting on the bench for his first three seasons, Rodgers, 37, is set to play his fifth NFC Championship game on Sunday and the Packers are on the verge of a Super Bowl appearance.
“His impact is still being felt to this day when you look at our roster, but I think he’s had a huge impact among many people across the league when you look at the other GMs who have learned under him,” he said. LaFleur said Thursday.
“So we’re certainly sitting here with a heavy heart today. I have only had a few opportunities to meet him in the past two years, but I know how important he was to many people in this building.
The Packers compiled a 125-82-1 record and had nine playoff appearances in Thompson’s 13 seasons as general manager.
Thompson was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2019. He revealed he suffered from an autonomic disorder, a condition that causes weakness and cognitive problems, according to ESPN.
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