Billy Thompson Question.

[ludo21]

What do the elder members of the board remember about him?

I know he is on the Ring of Fame and played in a SB for us.

I just got an autograph of his, so im just curious.

[broncogary]

Third round pick from Maryland-Eastern Shore in 1969, I think. The Broncos had picked Grady Cavness in the first round, so they started two rookie corners.

Cavness was toast, Thompson played great, and later switched to safety.

[montrose]

My understanding is he's arguably the greatest DB in Broncos history, moreso than Champ, Atwater, Smith, Wright, etc. but played in an era when the Broncos were so bad he got no publicity.

[broncogary]

My understanding is he's arguably the greatest DB in Broncos history, moreso than Champ, Atwater, Smith, Wright, etc. but played in an era when the Broncos were so bad he got no publicity.

They were so bad they didn't want publicity. :~ohyah!:

[LittleFloyd]

BT, as he was called, was and still is the only rookie to lead the league in punt and kickoff returns. Started out as a CB then switched to S. An excellent player who played on some bad teams back in the day. Very much deserved to be in the ring-of-fame.

[Bronx33]

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomBi01.htm

[broncocalijohn]

He was going into the HOF but Shanny put a word in for him that we might need him for the rest of the season at Safety and he will need to delay the entry for another 5 years.

[broncosteven]

What do the elder members of the board remember about him?

I know he is on the Ring of Fame and played in a SB for us.

I just got an autograph of his, so im just curious.

Where did you run into Billy?

[WoodMan]

My understanding is he's arguably the greatest DB in Broncos history, moreso than Champ, Atwater, Smith, Wright, etc. but played in an era when the Broncos were so bad he got no publicity.

He was playing safety on the first Broncos super bowl team. A standout member of the Orange Crush. He was a excellent in coverage, but also a good tackler. Of course Gradishar had a hat on almost any back who got through to our safeties.
He played in the same backfield as Louis Wright and Steve Foley who has the most INTs of any Broncos safety, I believe. Thompson had help out there, but then he did a lot of helping out also. Finally, he was a very good return man, third to Little and Upchurch IMO.

[titan]

He was a very underrated punt returner. Not as good as Upchurch (who was) but probably the 2nd best punt returner in Bronco history. He wasn't especially fast or elusive - he just would run straight up the field on punt returns.

But he is best known for his stellar defensive back play. I agree that he's the best db in bronco history.

[ludo21]

Where did you run into Billy?

my mom did in Colorado Springs at some signing event. Nice eh!

Thanks guys, now ill know what to so say to people when i sport my new shirt!!

[BroncoBuff]

BT, as he was called, was and still is the only rookie to lead the league in punt and kickoff returns. Started out as a CB then switched to S. An excellent player who played on some bad teams back in the day. Very much deserved to be in the ring-of-fame.
Good stuff. Four or five Pro Bowls, a no-brainer Ring-of-Fame. First in the Broncos' 30-year run of world-class safeties ... his last year was Dennis Smith's first (1981), then Steve Atwater came 1989 to 99 (we could really use one of them now).

BT owned a couple of McDonalds franchises, the first was in Castle Rock. He sold them (reportedly made a killing), and has been employed on and off with the team in player-community relations, and worked at KOA radio on Broncos pre-game shows. I knew him when I worked at the Broncos and at KOA, and he is a first-class human being in every sense of the word.

[Ziggy]

Bt also had a way of getting under players skins. I think he may have the unofficial record for drawing unsportsman-like penalties against the other team.

[dsmoot]

My understanding is he's arguably the greatest DB in Broncos history, moreso than Champ, Atwater, Smith, Wright, etc. but played in an era when the Broncos were so bad he got no publicity.

I was fortunate to be able to watch Billy T. He was an outstanding safety. However, he was not as talented as Champ. Really not even that close. In my opinion, he was not quite as talented as Louis Wright, who IMO is the most underrated Bronco even in Bronco fan circles. If I remember correctly, Billy was a very good return man. He certainly is the best SAFETY in Bronco history.

[Rock Chalk]

For my money dsmoot, Louis Wright is the best DB to put a Bronco uniform on. I didnt get to see BT play, but Louis Wright is the reason I am a Bronco fan in the first place so he will always be tops in my list.

[Spider]

Bronco Billy , quit simply one of the best DB's we ever had , and he played in an era when Safties were allowed big hits , goin over the middle was a badge of honor for a receiver..........a remarkable autograph you got

[Spider]

For my money dsmoot, Louis Wright is the best DB to put a Bronco uniform on. I didnt get to see BT play, but Louis Wright is the reason I am a Bronco fan in the first place so he will always be tops in my list.

you got that right .... Wright was a shut down corner long before Dion Sanders ever came along

[footstepsfrom#27]

He was a class act on and off the field, very sure in coverage and an all around excellent player. He wasn't the hitter Smith or Atwater were but had a rock solid all around game. He was NOT the first star safety in Broncos history however. That honor goes to Goose Gonsoulin:

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=850

Number: 23
Position: Safetyhttp://www.denverbroncos.com/resources/custom/Ring%20of%20Fame%20Pix/gonsoulin_rof.jpg
Year Inducted: 1984
Years with Broncos: 1960-66
Then: Austin "Goose" Gonsoulin was one of the four original Ring of Fame inductees in 1984, recognized for his splendid play at safety for seven seasons. Gonsoulin was one of the original Broncos from the 1960 season. At the end of his Bronco career, he was the all-time American Football League leader in interceptions with 43. His 11 pickoffs in 1960 are still a Denver club record, and he shares the team record for interceptions in a game with four, a feat he accomplished Sept. 18, 1960 at Buffalo. Gonsoulin was an All-AFL choice in 1960, 1962 and 1963. His amazing durablity and toughness enabled him to start 61 consecutive games at one point in his career. Gonsoulin was also the captain of his college team at Baylor.
Now: Gonsoulin has operated a construction company in Texas since his retirement.

<TABLE align=center><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=4><CENTER>Gonsoulin's Denver Broncos Career Record</CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD>Int.</TD><TD>Yds.</TD><TD>Avg.</TD><TD>TD</TD></TR><TR><TD>43</TD><TD>542</TD><TD>12.6</TD><TD>2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--End main body information here.-->

[rodr88]

Billy Thompson was a big part of the 77 AFC Championship Team. Good at Corner and Safety. Always a class act from what everything I understand. You got a nice autograph there.

[Cito Pelon]

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomBi01.htm

Just look at the stats. Dude did it all. Solid member of the community. Not only just a solid DB, but a solid PR/KR guy. 11.6 yards per on punt returns. Hester is avging 13.4. BT 25.3 on KR's, Hester is at 23.3. BT played every snap on D also. You got yourself a good autograph. BT 40 INT's, 14 fumbles forced, 21 fumbles recovered. Too bad a lot of people on the board didn't get to see him play.

[TomServo]

Wright was a shut down corner long before Dion Sanders ever came along

shut down and could tackle. just watch the drive game. i would take louis over dion any day of the week especially sunday.
i really feel sorry for the people who were too young not to see or remember the orange crush.

[Spider]

shut down and could tackle. just watch the drive game. i would take louis over dion any day of the week especially sunday.
i really feel sorry for the people who were too young not to see or remember the orange crush.

you and me both ....... I agree 100 %

[ludo21]

I got 2 auto's actually, one on a t shirt, the other on a picture with a Broncos helmet and then 4 little helmets in the corners.

Id be willing to part with the picture if anyone wants it. Ill try and get a pic up within the next day or so.

[Spider]

I got 2 auto's actually, one on a t shirt, the other on a picture with a Broncos helmet and then 4 little helmets in the corners.

Id be willing to part with the picture if anyone wants it. Ill try and get a pic up within the next day or so.

generous offer ... but you should hang on to it bro or trade it for another orange crush player sig

[TomServo]

i wonder if that ones guys orange '76 corvette signed by all the SB 12 team would be worth anything?

[Greybeard]

He was a class act on and off the field, very sure in coverage and an all around excellent player. He wasn't the hitter Smith or Atwater were but had a rock solid all around game. He was NOT the first star safety in Broncos history however. That honor goes to Goose Gonsoulin:

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=850

Number: 23
Position: Safetyhttp://www.denverbroncos.com/resources/custom/Ring%20of%20Fame%20Pix/gonsoulin_rof.jpg
Year Inducted: 1984
Years with Broncos: 1960-66
Then: Austin "Goose" Gonsoulin was one of the four original Ring of Fame inductees in 1984, recognized for his splendid play at safety for seven seasons. Gonsoulin was one of the original Broncos from the 1960 season. At the end of his Bronco career, he was the all-time American Football League leader in interceptions with 43. His 11 pickoffs in 1960 are still a Denver club record, and he shares the team record for interceptions in a game with four, a feat he accomplished Sept. 18, 1960 at Buffalo. Gonsoulin was an All-AFL choice in 1960, 1962 and 1963. His amazing durablity and toughness enabled him to start 61 consecutive games at one point in his career. Gonsoulin was also the captain of his college team at Baylor.
Now: Gonsoulin has operated a construction company in Texas since his retirement.

<TABLE align=center><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=4><CENTER>Gonsoulin's Denver Broncos Career Record</CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD>Int.</TD><TD>Yds.</TD><TD>Avg.</TD><TD>TD</TD></TR><TR><TD>43</TD><TD>542</TD><TD>12.6</TD><TD>2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--End main body information here.-->

Had to REP you on that one. I remember Goose Gonsoulin.

-----

[Spider]

i wonder if that ones guys orange '76 corvette signed by all the SB 12 team would be worth anything?

:thumbsup: i would give him a 12pack of Bud and a pack of smokes for it

[Spider]

shaking head thompson wasnt a hitter like Atwater or Smith ?