Highlight Reel Pick Could Be Career-Altering for Seahawks S Tedric Thompson

Though he's remained confident through struggles, a key interception against the Rams could be the game-changer Thompson desperately needed.

Up just one point with just 2:28 remaining on the scoreboard, the Seahawks faced the tough task of trying to slow down a Rams offense that had scored 22 points on its previous five possessions.

After being held to just six points through most of the first half, Los Angeles had been near unstoppable in the final two-plus quarters. Quarterback Jared Goff found a rhythm in the quick passing game and ex-Eastern Washington star Cooper Kupp tortured Seattle from the slot.

With their backs against the wall and minimal time left on the clock, the Seahawks needed someone to step up and make a play to seal the victory. Little did they know, that monumental play would come from an unexpected source.

Facing 3 and 10 from the Rams 36-yard line, Goff tried to connect with tight end Gerald Everett on a slant with linebacker K.J. Wright trailing in coverage. The pass was on the money, but it went through Everett’s hands and the football deflected into the air behind him, seemingly hitting the turf for an incompletion.

Unbeknownst to the officials on the field, safety Tedric Thompson managed to get one of his hands underneath the football before it hit the ground, juggling the ball before securing it. Initially, the play was ruled as an incomplete pass, setting up a decisive fourth down.

How did Tedric Thompson pick this?!

Candidate for interception of the year! 😱 #Seahawks @nuevexted

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— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2019

But Thompson knew he made an interception and quickly jumped up looking towards the sidelines. Before he could plead his case to Pete Carroll, Seattle’s energetic coach had already tossed the red challenge flag like a missile towards midfield.

“I mean, I knew I caught it. That’s why I tried to get up and run.” Thompson said after the game. “I didn’t feel it hit the ground or nothing, so I knew I caught it.”

As officials reviewed the play on the sidelines, Thompson’s miraculous catch was shown in slow motion in the stadium and drew a loud celebratory reaction from the crowd. With little doubt the play would be overturned, the third-year safety sprinted to the north end zone to celebrate with fans.

Citing it as the best play of his NFL career, officials quickly changed the call as expected, giving Thompson his first interception of the season and second of his NFL career. Interestingly, his first pick came on a Hail Mary pass attempt by none other than Goff last season.

While the turnover didn’t prove to be the game-sealing play Seattle hoped it would and the team needed a missed field goal to move to 4-1 on the season, Thompson’s interception could be a real game changer for his NFL career.

The subject of immense ridicule after botching coverage on a long touchdown pass from Andy Dalton to John Ross during Seattle’s Week 1 win over Cincinnati, Thompson missed the next two games with a hamstring injury. Upon his return, some speculated he could lose his job to Lano Hill or rookie Marquise Blair, but the coaching staff showed faith in him by placing him back in the starting lineup.

Purposely playing the game with short-term memory, Thompson hasn't paid attention to his critics, keeping his focus on getting better and learning from his mistakes.

“I don’t care what the media says.” Thompson said. “I had a bad play. Just like after I get done watching this film, I’m going to forget about just like I forgot about the Cincy stuff. I don’t care what the media says, it don’t phase me at all.”

As noted by Russell Wilson, Thompson led the Pac-12 with seven interceptions during his senior season at Colorado, earning a reputation around the country as a ball hawk. While those skills haven’t consistently translated into NFL games to this point, the star quarterback has been picked by him several times in practice and wasn’t surprised to see him come up in the clutch on Thursday night.

“I’ve seen him make plays in practice, crazy catches, things he’s done,” Wilson smiled. “He’s got amazing hands and that was an incredible catch, so that’s one of those things you remember for the rest of your life, the rest of the season.”

When asked whether making such a pivotal play in a crucial divisional game bolstered morale, Thompson downplayed the significance of the interception, indicating his belief in his playing ability hasn’t wavered even as he’s struggled at times adjusting to the league.

“It gave me confidence, but I had confidence before that interception. I guess it gave me a little more confidence, but I’m always confident in myself.”

Though it was just one play and there’s plenty of room for improvement, Thompson’s long-awaited interception could be the steppingstone necessary for him to turn the corner. Given Seattle’s youth and inexperience in the secondary, that’d be a crucial development with 11 games left to play.