Donnell Thompson

{{Short description|American football player (1958–2024)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}

{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}

{{distinguish|text=the American football linebacker in the 2000s Donnel Thompson}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

|name=Donnell Thompson

|number=99

|position=Defensive end

|birth_date= {{Birth date|1958|10|27}}

|birth_place=Lumberton, North Carolina, U.S.

|death_date= {{Death date and age|2024|9|17|1958|10|27}}

|height_ft=6

|height_in=4

|weight_lb=270

|high_school=Lumberton

|college=North Carolina

|draftyear=1981

|draftround=1

|draftpick=18

|pastteams=

• Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|1981|1991}})

|highlights=

• PFWA All-Rookie Team (1981)
• First-team All-ACC (1980)

|statlabel1=Sacks

|statvalue1=41.0

|statlabel2=Fumble recoveries

|statvalue2=8

|statlabel3=Touchdowns

|statvalue3=1

|pfr=ThomDo25

}}

Larry Donnell Thompson (October 27, 1958 – September 17, 2024) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end for the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Thompson played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

After leaving the NFL, Thompson became a franchisee for McDonald's in Atlanta, Georgia. He purchased his own franchise in 1998 and later opened franchises for Choice Hotels International, Zaxby's, Denny's and Checkers Drive-In, sometimes in partnership with his former roommate Ron Wooten.{{cite news |last=Steward |first=Ameera |date=September 12, 2019 |title=Former NFL Players Open Checkers & Rally's across Birmingham area and Pensicola FL. |url=https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2019/09/former-nfl-players-open-checkers-rallys-across-birmingham-area/ |work=Birmingham Times |location=Birmingham, Alabama |access-date=December 31, 2019 }} Thompson died on September 17, 2024, at the age of 65.{{cite news |date=September 17, 2024 |title=Lumberton football legend Donnell Thompson dies at 65 |url=https://www.robesonian.com/sports/304743/lumberton-football-legend-donnell-thompson-dies-at-65|work=Robesonian |access-date=September 18, 2024}}