Dave Thompson (American football)

David Wayne Thompson was born on February 1, 1949, in Langdale, Alabama.^[1] He attended Valley High School in Valley, Alabama.^[1]

Thompson was a member of the Clemson Tigers from 1967 to 1970 and a three-year letterman from 1968 to 1970.^[1] As a senior in 1970, he earned Associated Press second-team All-American (AP) honors and AP first-team All-ACC honors.^[2][3]

Thompson was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round, with the 30th overall pick, of the 1971 NFL draft.^[4] He played in all 14 games for the Lions in 1971, recovering one fumble.^[4] He appeared in seven games in 1972 and 14 games in 1973.^[4]

On January 29, 1974, Thompson and a 1974 first round draft pick were traded to the New Orleans Saints for a 1974 first round draft pick and a 1975 sixth round draft pick.^[5] He started all 14 games for the Saints during the 1974 season.^[4] The Saints finished the year with a 5–9 record.^[6] Thompson played in seven games, all starts, in 1975.^[4]

In March 1976, Thompson was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1976 NFL expansion draft.^[7] On August 29, 1976, he was traded to the Washington Redskins for an undisclosed 1977 draft pick.^[5][8] He was waived by the Redskins on September 6, 1976.^[5]

Thompson signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 1977 but was later cut on August 10, 1977.^[9]