Earning His Wings

Thompson taking ROTC route to become Marine Corps pilot

By Tate Russell
Staff Writer
Blount Press Row

Thompson returned from injury this season to finish second in interceptions in NCAA Division III as a Carnegie Mellon defensive back.

In an impressive feat of determination and desire to win, former Alcoa Tornado Sam Thompson completely tore his ACL, his MCL and split his meniscus in two, and still went out to play the second half.

So it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that on two healthy knees, Thompson would harass opposing quarterbacks with his ball-hawking and reel-them-in skills as a cornerback for Carnegie Melon University in Pittsburgh.