Saturday, May 9, 2015

1974 Profile: Rocky Thompson

Running Back
No. 22
West Texas State
"The Giants' No. 1 draft choice for 1971, Rocky proved to be a versatile player, accounting for 1,209 yards of offense. Most of that came on kickoff returns as Rocky chalked up 947 yards on 36 returns for a 26.3 average to rank seventh in the NFC; one went for 93 yards and a touchdown against St. Louis. He also rushed for 177 yards on 54 carries for a 3.3 average and a touchdown and caught 16 passes for 85 yards.
In 1972, the Rock had another dazzling season in returns, showing a 28.3 average including a 92-yard touchdown against the Lions and a 75-yarder to set up a score against San Francisco. Last year, after having a solid preseason, Rocky suffered a vertebrae injury in the season opener and was lost for the entire year. He's fully recovered now.
Thompson was a standout track and football star at West Texas State, clocking 9.2 in the 100. He also won the British Empire 100-meter championship with a 10.1 clocking. In football, he rushed for 848 yards, a 4.8 average, and scored 12 touchdowns in his senior year. Thompson was named to play in the Senior Bowl, where he scored another touchdown.
He was born in Paget, Bermuda and attended high school in Chicago and in Yokohama, Japan, traveling with his father who was in the U.S. Air Force. Rocky still makes his home in his native Bermuda during the off-season."

-1974 New York Giants Media Guide

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