Shaq Thompson

Shaq Thompson is a skilled professional football linebacker who played for the Carolina Panthers in the NFL. His journey in football began with a successful college football career at the University of Washington, where he notably earned first-team All-American honors in 2014. Thompson's talent was acknowledged with the Paul Hornung Award in 2014, an accolade given to the nation's most versatile college football player. He also achieved a first-team All-Pac-12 selection in the same year. In 2015, Thompson's football career took a significant turn when he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, marking the beginning of his professional career.

As of 2024, he has managed to accumulate a total of 752 tackles, 12 sacks, and three interceptions. His debut year saw him make his NFL debut and first career start in the Panthers' season-opening victory at the Jacksonville Jaguars, and even appear in Super Bowl 50. By the 2016 NFL season, Thompson's performance had earned him an overall grade of 85.6 from Pro Football Focus.

Thompson's commitment to the Carolina Panthers has been steady, having played multiple seasons and started in most games since his recruitment. In December 2019, he signed a four-year contract extension with the Panthers. In a nod to his college days, he switched his jersey number to #7 in 2021. The following year, Thompson agreed to a contract restructure to free up cap space for the Panthers. In 2025, he and the Panthers parted ways, and Thompson entered free agency.