Chris Thompson (Jacksonville Jaguars) über Corona, Black Lives Matter, Redskins

In just over a week the time will finally come!

With the game between defending champions Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans, the NFL starts its 101st season on Friday night German time.

Due to the global corona pandemic, this will naturally take place in a greatly changed form. For example, all teams go into their first regular league game without preseason games, and you will have to wait even longer for fully occupied arenas. Most teams will play their first home games without spectators.

Chris Thompson has played in the NFL since 2013. The 29-year-old running back has never experienced a situation like this.

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Thompson from Washington to Jacksonville

In addition, he not only has to get used to the new conditions, but also to a new team. After seven years with the Washington Redskins (now Washington Football Team), he signed a one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in May.

In the exclusive SPORT1-Interview reveals how Thompson has experienced the change so far. In addition, the family man gives insights into his life during the corona pandemic, talks about the goals of the Jags and the tough business in the NFL.

SPORT1: 2020 is a difficult year for everyone and professional athletes are no exception. How did you deal with it?

Chris Thompson: For me it was even more special, I became a father at the end of December. On the one hand, you are of course even more cautious, on the other hand I could be in quarantine with my daughter, which would otherwise not have been possible. That was great, of course, so I could spend a lot more time with her. Everyone had to train individually, of course. There weren’t that many injuries in preparation either, basically the NFL did a good job when you can see that only four positive tests came out.

SPORT1: You also changed teams. After good years in Washington you are now playing for the Jaguars. Have you settled in in Jacksonville?

Thompson: That actually happened very quickly. The guys here make it really easy to get along with them. There are no drama queens and there are no cliques here either. The running backs don’t just talk to the running backs, etc. – everyone gets along well. I got to know everyone very quickly, that went better than I would have thought.

SPORT1: Jay Gruden was your coach in Washington and is now responsible for the offense at the Jags. Is that an advantage for you?

Thompson: In any case, very much! I know his system and what he has in mind. This means I can concentrate on coordinating with the quarterback and the offensive line and don’t have to learn a new playbook.

Dismissal of Fournette was “a real shock”

SPORT1: The sacking of Leonard Fournette hit the headlines. How did you find out about it? Is this your chance?

Thompson: It was a real shock! I was lucky enough to get to know him better here in a short time. He’s a great guy, but if you’ve been in the NFL long enough, you’ll know how ruthlessly brutal the business is. He’s someone I’ll talk to for the rest of my life, I look forward to seeing where he has his future. He’ll be successful, but of course it’s a great opportunity for me. That’s the way it is.

SPORT1: You are known to be a great passport catcher, but you are also often unlucky with injuries. Do you want to show that you can play a bigger role?

Thompson: Definitely, that’s one of my big goals for this year. The injury issue has been with me for ages. So now I look from day to day and will prove it to the doubters.

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Thompson: “Minshew a great personality”

SPORT1: Gardner Minshew took the NFL by storm last year with his unique personality. How have you experienced it so far?

Thompson: He really is as seen on TV, a great personality. He’s on the hunt for greatness every day. In fact, it was one of the main reasons I looked forward to Jacksonville. I look forward to helping him get even better.

SPORT1: The Jaguars are not traded as a playoff team. Do you really want to show the doubters?

Thompson: This is how we have to do it. Of course we don’t like that, but we have to use that as motivation.

SPORT1: Next to you, is there a Jags player whom German fans should pay special attention to?

Thompson: Definitely Laviska Shenault. He’s a real beast. He’s a rookie, but I’ve rarely seen a receiver built like this for that age. I am very excited to see what it shows.

“I actually wanted to take the whole family to London”

SPORT1: You played with the Redskins in London in 2016 and would have been to Europe again with the Jaguars, the trip is canceled due to Corona. Are you disappointed?

Thompson: I was really looking forward to it, I actually wanted to take the whole family to London with me. All of them have never been there, I have only been there once. It’s a shame, but I hope it will be possible again soon.

SPORT1: In addition to Corona, Black Lives Matter and the fight against racism and police brutality is the big topic in the USA. Playoff games were boycotted in the NBA. Did you talk about it as a team?

Thompson: Oh yeah, we talked about it. It is very important to find solutions. What can we do to help convince people and use our platform. That is our responsibility as athletes.

SPORT1: For your previous team, it was a chaotic offseason with name changes and allegations of harassment of female employees and cheerleaders as well as the complete exchange of management. How do you see your old team?

Thompson: In my opinion, if you really want to change something, there’s nothing better than turning the whole place around. They have now done that – including the name. That was the right decision, it’s a completely new beginning. I think it’s really good and I also think they’ll make it. I played there for seven years and I wish the guys and the extremely loyal fans so. Ron Rivera is just the guy, he’s so much respected. It’s even more difficult with his cancer diagnosis, but he’ll get through this and get the team back up.

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