Football
Andy Baggot
A captain and champion, Thompson proved anything is possible
BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. – Donnel Thompson can be a talkative man – he’s always aware of his audience and surroundings – but when he was asked to define his legacy, he offered a simple, two-word reply.
“It’s possible,” he said.
If you want to be a three-year starter at linebacker for the Wisconsin football team …
If you want to go from unheralded walk-on to being a two-time captain of the Badgers …
If you want to help UW win back-to-back Big Ten Conference titles …
If you want to be part of a team that made history by becoming the first Big Ten school to repeat as Rose Bowl champions …
If you want to play four seasons in the NFL as an undrafted free agent …
“It’s possible,” Thompson said again.
Thompson famously grew up on the west side of Madison, attended West High School, played football for his father and sold concessions at Camp Randall and the Field House all while “dreaming of going to play at UW.”
Thompson wound of playing four seasons under a Hall of Fame coach in Barry Alvarez, then moved on to the NFL where he was tutored by Bill Cowher and Tony Dungy, two other Hall of Famers.
“He epitomized the type of player that I think we established in our program,” Alvarez said. “He was a guy who came in without a lot of hoopla, without a scholarship, worked hard, did everything the right way.
“He was just a grinder. We never had an issue with him. Always took care of his business. He was a tough guy who just loved football.”
Kevin Cosgrove was the UW defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 1990 to 2003.
“You talk about a kid you loved to coach,” Cosgrove said of Thompson. “He took everything personal. I just remember the intensity that Donnel would have if he made a mistake or I jumped on him. He’d be one of those guys foaming at the…
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