 Born in Hutchinson, Kansas, Thompson graduated from R. L. Paschal High School in Fort Worth, Texas, and played college football at the University of Tulsa.Thompson was an off-and-on starter for the Philadelphia Eagles, and led them to three consecutive NFL championship appearances, including the 1948 and 1949 title-winning seasons.His 25 touchdown passes led the league in and he led to victory in the championship game over the defending champion Chicago Cardinals in a snowstorm, avenging their loss in the previous year.