Former Packers general manager Ted Thompson died Wednesday night, coach Matt LaFleur confirmed. He was 68 years old.
Thompson spent 21 of his 26 years in an NFL office with the Packers, winning Super Bowl rings as a professional personnel director in 1996 and as a general manager in 2010. One of Thompson’s first decisions as a director overall was drafting quarterback Aaron Rodgers with a first-round pick although Brett Favre was still playing at his peak in 2005.
The decision set the Packers on the transition from one Hall of Fame quarterback to another. After sitting on the bench for his first three seasons, Rodgers, 37, will play his fifth NFC championship game on Sunday and will have the Packers on the verge of a Super Bowl appearance.
“His impact is still noticeable so far when you look at our roster, but I think he’s had a huge impact among a lot of people across the league when you look at the rest of GM who have learned under him,” LaFleur said Thursday.
“So I’m sure we’re sitting here with a heavy heart today. I’ve only had a few opportunities to meet him over the last two years, but I only know how important he was to many people in this building. “
The Packers compiled a 125-82-1 record and added nine playoff appearances during Thompson’s 13 seasons as general manager.
Thompson was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2019. He revealed he suffered from autonomic disorder, a condition that causes weakness and cognitive problems, according to ESPN.