Weegie Thompson

Willis Hope "Weegie" Thompson (born March 21, 1961) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played high school football for Midlothian High School in Richmond, Virginia. He was recruited by Florida State University as a quarterback.

College statistics

• 1981: 2 catches for 73 yards.
• 1982: 8 catches for 136 yards and 2 TD.
• 1983: 31 catches for 502 yards and 3 TD.
  • Second-team All-South Independent (1983)

Professional career

Thompson was selected in the fourth round of the 1984 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott gushes when he talks about Thompson. In Thompson's rookie season, 1984, the Steelers were the only team to beat the 49ers. One reason they did was by assigning Thompson to block Lott on every play. "He blocked my butt all day -- and fair," Lott remembered. "Every play, he came after me. And I respect the hell out of Weegie Thompson to this day. He's one of the toughest guys I ever played against."

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Receiving
		GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
1984	PIT	16	7	17	291	17.1	59	3
1985	PIT	16	0	8	138	17.3	42	1
1986	PIT	16	4	17	191	11.2	20	5
1987	PIT	12	3	17	313	18.4	63	1
1988	PIT	16	11	16	370	23.1	50	1
1989	PIT	16	0	4	74	18.5	28	0
		92	25	79	1,377	17.4	63	11

Playoffs

Year	Team	Games		Receiving
		GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
1984	PIT	2	0	1	15	15.0	15	0
1989	PIT	2	1	1	23	23.0	23	0
		4	1	2	38	19.0	23	0

Personal

Thompson is called Weegie because his Father, Willis Sr., was nicknamed Weegie when his younger brother couldn't pronounce Willis. It came out Weegie. So, Weegie is Weegie Jr. (Willis).

After his playing days, Thompson took a position with Chambers Development before moving on to work as a salesman with Waste Management in Midlothian, Virginia.