Lyle Thompson

File:Thompson brothers on TheAYGList.jpg

Lyle grew up on the Native American reservation, Onondaga Nation, NY. He is the second youngest of the five children of Jerome "Ji" Thompson Sr., a Mohawk father from Akwesasne and third generation ironworker with 'Ironworkers Local 60', and his wife, Doloris Thompson, an Onondaga mother.Korver, L. (Director). (2013). The medicine game. Vision Maker Media.{{cite magazine |last=Conroe |first=Scott |url=https://redhawkslax.com/jeremy-a-jerome-thompson/ |title=Joining an OCC team that crushed everything in sight last year, the talented Thompsons should play big roles, and rack up big points, in the junior college ranks. |magazine=Inside Lacrosse |volume=10 |issue=7 |via=Onondaga Redhawks |date=September 25, 2006 |accessdate=November 9, 2024}} His three older brothers Jeremy Thompson, Jerome (“Hiana”) Thompson and Miles Thompson are also professional lacrosse players, along with his cousin Ty Thompson, who is from the Mohawk Nation. In accordance with Haudenosaunee tradition, he and his brothers were each given a wooden stick as a newborn. He began playing lacrosse from a very early age as lacrosse carries spiritual and cultural significance with the Onondaga nation. Growing up, he and his brothers would spend much of their time playing lacrosse in the backyard, often with their father coaching them for hours.{{Cite web |title=All in the family: Lacrosse is more than a game for Thompson siblings |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/sports/local-sports/all-in-the-family-lacrosse-is-more-than-a-game-for-thompson-siblings |access-date=2023-08-07}}

In 1999, the Thompsons moved from St. Regis Mohawk Reservation south to the Onondaga Reservation.{{Cite news |date=2014-03-10 |title=In a Native American Sport, a Family's Giant Leap (Published 2014) |work=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/10/sports/college-lacrosse-upended-by-albanys-native-american-stars.html |access-date=2023-08-07 |last1=Schonbrun |first1=Zach }} The Onondaga house that they grew up in was built by Ji himself, and had no electricity or running water until about 2003. This was a factor in the amount of time they spent playing backyard lacrosse, as they did not have things like television or video games.{{Cite web |last=Pierce |first=Liam Daniel |date=2015-09-27 |title=The Thompson Brothers Bring Lacrosse Home to the Iroquois |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-thompson-brothers-bring-lacrosse-home-to-the-iroquois/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Vice |language=en}}{{Citation |title=Lyle Thompson Was Put On Earth To Play Lacrosse | date=7 October 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpKRB71GaoY |access-date=2023-08-07 |language=en}} Lyle had not grown up doing strength training, and developed those attributes later in his career.{{Cite web |last=Balf |first=Celia |date=2019-05-25 |title=How Professional Lacrosse Player Lyle Thompson Strength Trains |url=https://barbend.com/lacrosse-strength-training/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=BarBend |language=en-US}}

Growing up, Lyle admired his eldest brother, Jeremy, as he served as a role model for Lyle.{{Citation |title=The Thompson Brothers {{!}} NLL Feature | date=24 April 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGEzho2_Bgk |access-date=2023-08-07 |language=en}} Also, the Thompson brothers have an extensive lacrosse heritage, as their father played lacrosse and their grandfather played lacrosse.{{Cite web |last=Frye |first=Andy |title=Pro Lacrosse Player Lyle Thompson Says Game Runs Deep In Native American Roots |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyfrye/2018/12/21/pro-lacrosse-player-lyle-thompson-says-game-runs-deep-in-native-american-roots/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Forbes |language=en}} Their father, Jerome Thompson Sr. played men's Senior B lacrosse until he was 37, playing on the Akwesasne Thunder Sr. B squad, winning the 1995 and 1997 President's Cups, Canada's national second-division box lacrosse championships. He also played with the 1990 Iroquois Nationals international lacrosse team.{{Cite web |title=Lacrosse: A Symbol Of Family And Tradition For 4 Iroquois Brothers |url=https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2017/06/02/thompson-brothers-iroquois-lacrosse |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=www.wbur.org |date=2 June 2017 |language=en}}

Early in grade school, Lyle would often get into physical altercations with anti-Indigenous students, who were ignorant of Indigenous people and culture, especially his traditional hair braid.{{Cite news |title=Lyle Thompson stands up for Native American heritage as lacrosse superstar |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/15/lyle-thompson-stands-up-native-american-heritage-lacrosse-superstar/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

Lyle Thompson's high school lacrosse career spanned two different teams, Salmon River High School lacrosse team and LaFayette High School lacrose team. He played a total of five years of high lacrosse, as he was on Salmon River's high school varsity team as an eighth grader. Paul Rabil stated that Lyle was "the #1 High School recruit in the country...as a sophomore".{{cite web | title=Lyle Thompson: Lacrosse Player, Native American Activist | website=LinkedIn | date=2017-11-26 | url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lyle-thompson-lacrosse-player-native-american-activist-paul-rabil/ | access-date=2024-11-15}}

Lyle Thompson played for Salmon River High School during his eighth grade year. He scored 50 points that season before he injured his collarbone, shortening his season. After the injury, one arm was in a sling, but Lyle would still attend lacrosse practice wielding his lacrosse with the one arm that was healthy. During this time, he developed an advanced skill set of one-handed lacrosse play, particularly bottom-hand one-handed play. This technique was integrated into his style of play, Lyle becoming noted for his "uncanny ability to wield the stick with one hand under

immense pressure".{{cite web | last=Belmont | first=Maxaie | title=Play: A Normative Theory of Agency and Culture | website=CUNY Academic Works | date=2022-09-01 | url=https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/4924/ | access-date=2024-11-15}} It was later popularized in the sport overall, despite being previously viewed as unorthodox, and generally discouraged by lacrosse coaches including his father.{{cite web | title=Lyle Thompson on Why He Plays One-Handed | website=YouTube | date=2024-03-06 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl9gZItcSZI | access-date=2025-02-17}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-04-07 |title=Lacrosse pro Lyle Thompson's growth into an influence for Indigenous people |url=http://dailyorange.com/2022/04/lacrosse-pro-lyle-thompson-growth-into-influence-indigenous-people/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=The Daily Orange |language=en-US}}

In his freshman year of high school, he scored 114 points. He received first-team Times All-North honors and was named the section’s most valuable player as a freshman.{{cite web | last=Vock | first=Casey | title=IL's No. 1 Senior Lyle Thompson to transfer to Salmon River (N.Y.) | website=Inside Lacrosse | date=2024-10-01 | url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/il-s-no-1-senior-lyle-thompson-to-transfer-to-salmon-river-n-y/8554 | access-date=2024-11-15}}

Lyle Thompson played for LaFayette High School for his sophomore and junior years. In his sophomore year, he scored 59 goals 52 assists leading his team to the Class C State Final against Manhasset. He had a breakout performance in the state title game that year, scoring five goals.

In his junior year, he totaled 111 points. This was second-most in Section 3. He was awarded first-team All-CNY honors for the second time.

For his senior year of high school, Lyle re-transferred back to Salmon River High School. There, he scored 66 goals and 54 assists and received All-American honors.Vock, C. (2012, July 23). IL's No. 1 Senior Lyle Thompson to transfer to Salmon River (N.Y.). Inside Lacrosse. Retrieved September 10, 2023, from https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/il-s-no-1-senior-lyle-thompson-to-transfer-to-salmon-river-n-y/8554

Lyle Thompson attended college at the University at Albany, majoring in sociology, although he initially pursued an art major as he has a passion for drawing.{{Citation |title=Huddle Up: Lyle Thompson | date=27 November 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lCd5b-THWg |access-date=2023-07-14 |language=en}} Inside Lacrosse ranked him as the #1 recruit for the 2011-12 high school graduating class. Lyle committed to play for the Albany Great Danes men's lacrosse team under head coach, Scott Marr. Typically, Indigenous American lacrosse recruits would play for Syracuse University. The Thompsons choosing UAlbany over Syracuse University was a landmark decision, stating that they wanted to make their impact on their own.{{Cite news |date=2014-03-10 |title=In a Native American Sport, a Family's Giant Leap (Published 2014) |work=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/10/sports/college-lacrosse-upended-by-albanys-native-american-stars.html |access-date=2023-08-07 |last1=Schonbrun |first1=Zach }}

Lyle Thompson is widely considered the greatest lacrosse player in University at Albany history and one of the greatest college lacrosse players of all time.{{Cite web |title=UAlbany lacrosse alumni enjoy "mind-blowing" journey to NCAA semifinals |date=24 May 2018 |url=https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/UAlbany-lacrosse-alumni-enjoy-mind-blowing-12941068.php |access-date=2023-08-07}}{{Cite web |last=Benson |first=Samuel |title=How Albany's Lyle Thompson Became the Face of College Lacrosse |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2498974-how-albanys-lyle-thompson-became-the-face-of-college-lacrosse |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} He has also been referred to as one of the greatest college athletes of his generation.{{Cite news |title=The Greatest College Athlete You've Never Heard Of |language=en |work=Men's Journal |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/the-greatest-college-athlete-youve-never-heard-of-20150513 |access-date=2023-08-07}} ESPN lacrosse analyst, Paul Carcaterra, has referred to Lyle as the most prolific passer in NCAA lacrosse history. Another ESPN lacrosse analyst, Anish Shroff said about Lyle in a 2015 Sportscenter episode:

"He's been more than just the best player in college lacrosse. He's been more than just a generational player. Lyle Thompson has been transformative and transcendent."Belmont, M. (2022). Play: A Normative Theory of Agency and Culture.

In a decade-retrospective piece for 2010s college lacrosse, Inside Lacrosse referred to Lyle Thompson as "the biggest “hit” of a No. 1 recruit this decade".{{cite web | title=Decade in Review: Analyzing IL's Class of 2011 Recruiting Rankings | website=Inside Lacrosse | date=2020-03-25 | url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/decade-in-review-analyzing-il-s-class-of-2011-recruiting-rankings/56196 | access-date=2024-11-15}}

Initially, he started at midfield in his freshman season in 2012, scoring 22 goals and 16 assists along with 32 face-off draws. That was his last collegiate season scoring less than 100 points.

Moving to attack in his sophomore year, Thompson had 113 points. In this season, Albany defeated Syracuse for the first time. Miles Thompson scored the winning goal in double overtime.

In 2014, Lyle, along with his brother Miles were the first Native American players to win the Tewaaraton Trophy; tewaaraton being the Mohawk term for the precursor of modern lacrosse. In the same year, Lyle was nominated for the 2014 Best Male College Athlete ESPY Award.{{Cite web |date=2014-06-24 |title=Lyle Thompson Nominated for Best Male College Athlete ESPY |url=https://ualbanysports.com/news/2014/6/24/209529621.aspx |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=University at Albany Great Danes |language=en}} He was also named the Lacrosse Magazine 2014 'Person of the Year', and is the only person to do so as a college player.{{Cite web |date=2014-11-17 |title=Lyle Thompson ? Lacrosse Magazine 2014 Person of the Year |url=https://ualbanysports.com/news/2014/11/17/209769914 |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=University at Albany Great Danes |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=Lyle Thompson Named 2014 Person of the Year by Lacrosse Magazine |language=en |work=ICT News |url=https://ictnews.org/archive/lyle-thompson-named-2014-person-of-the-year-by-lacrosse-magazine |access-date=2023-08-07}}

In his last season of college lacrosse, Lyle won the Tewaaraton Award a second consecutive time. He is the only college men's lacrosse player to win the award twice consecutively, and one of only two to win the award twice, the other being Mikey Powell.

Lyle also set a new career points record of 400 points, which was later broken by Chris Gray, who scored 401 points (which was across an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID pandemic).{{cite web | title=Gray Breaks NCAA Career Point Record In Loss To Duke | website=University of North Carolina Athletics | date=2022-05-01 | url=https://goheels.com/news/2022/5/1/mens-lacrosse-gray-breaks-career-point-record-in-19-11-loss-to-duke | access-date=2024-11-15}}

Lyle Thompson plays both indoor and outdoor professional lacrosse. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest lacrosse players of all time. ESPN lacrosse analyst, Paul Carcaterra, has described Lyle as being on his 'Mount Rushmore' of greatest lacrosse players, alongside attackman Mikey Powell, midfielder Gary Gait and defenseman David Pietramala.Orsenigo, J. (2021, June 16). Syracuse men's lacrosse creates super staff to bring it back to prominence. Troy Nunes Is an Absolute Magician. https://www.nunesmagician.com/2021/6/16/22534374/syracuse-mens-lacrosse-creates-super-staff-to-bring-it-back-to-prominence-orange-mlax-hiresAskerberg, J. (2015, May 14). Launch Taking Off As They Await Thompson. In Lacrosse We Trust. https://inlacrossewetrust.com/launch-taking-off-as-they-await-thompson/ In 2017, Paul Rabil stated that Lyle's "legacy of success on the field will live on for generations to come."

Lyle Thompson was drafted as the top overall pick in the 2015 Collegiate Draft by the Florida Launch; his brother Miles was drafted by the Launch the previous year. Lyle's first game was played against the Ohio Machine, and he played a total of eight games for the Launch during the 2015 season. He had 22 goals and 16 assists in his first season in Major League Lacrosse. On March 3, 2017, Lyle Thompson and his brother Jeremy Thompson were traded from the Florida Launch to the Chesapeake Bayhawks.{{Cite news|url=http://thompsonbrotherslacrosse.us/lyle-thompson/|title=Lyle Thompson - Thompson Brothers|work=Thompson Brothers|access-date=2017-04-11}} In 2018 Lyle appeared in 6 games for the Bayhawks netting 20 goals, 1-2pt goal, 8 assists, and 17 ground balls.{{Cite web |title=Chesapeake Bayhawks |url=http://mll.stats.pointstreak.com/teamplayerstats.html?teamid=53004&seasonid=16530 |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=mll.stats.pointstreak.com}}

Lyle Thompson is an attackman for Cannons Lacrosse Club of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). He was not initially signed to PLL when it started in 2019 because he had signed a long-term contract with the MLL in 2017. Lyle joined the PLL when the two leagues merged in 2020. The PLL president, Paul Rabil, stated "For me, the MLL merger was about getting Lyle Thompson - that was it."

In the 2022 season, he set a new league record for most points (44 points) in a season across 9 games, while missing a game due to injury. He also led the league in one-point goals (26 goals).{{Cite web |title=Lyle Thompson Stepping Away from PLL for 2023 Season |url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/pro/pll/lyle-thompson-stepping-away-from-pll-for-2023-season |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=www.usalaxmagazine.com |language=en}} The record was broken two seasons later by Jeff Teat.

Thompson opted to take a sabbatical from the PLL for the 2023 and 2024 season. He stated that he wants to focus on himself, his family and his community.{{Cite tweet|user=PremierLacrosse|number=1658114356188528644|title=We're with you, Lyle}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-05-17 |title=Lyle Thompson takes 1-year off from PLL to reconnect |url=https://tworowtimes.com/sports/lacrosse/lyle-thompson-takes-1-year-off-from-pll-to-reconnect/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Two Row Times |language=en}}

The PLL website describes Lyle Thompson as "one of the greatest players of all-time" in the bio of his player page.

File:Lyle Thompson NLL Game.jpg

On September 28, 2015, Lyle was drafted first overall in the 2015 NLL draft by the Georgia Swarm. Lyle played alongside his brother Miles on the Swarm. In 2017, Thompson was named both league MVP and Championship MVP as the Swarm won their first NLL title. Winning the MVP award in only his third year in the NLL is the fastest any player has ever won the MVP award.{{Cite web |last=Challoner |first=Brad |date=2020-01-01 |title=Moment of the Decade: The Lyle Thompson era arrives |url=https://prolacrossetalk.com/moment-of-the-decade-the-lyle-thompson-era-arrives/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Pro Lacrosse Talk |language=en-US}}

On January 7, 2017, the Thompson brothers, Lyle, Miles, Jeremy and Jerome set the Guinness World Record for “Most siblings to compete in same professional lacrosse game”.{{cite web |title=4 Brothers, 1 Game: A new Guinness World Record | website=Georgia Swarm Pro Lacrosse Team |date=2017-01-05 |url=https://www.georgiaswarm.com/news/4-brothers-1-game-a-new-guinness-world-record/ |access-date=2025-04-21}}{{cite web |title=Thompson Brothers Set Guinness World Record |website=USA Lacrosse |url=https://www.usalacrosse.com/magazine/thompson-brothers-set-guinness-world-record |access-date=2025-04-21}}{{cite web |last=Walls |first=Dave |title=Thompson Brothers Set Guinness World Record In NLL Game |website=WSET |date=2017-01-09 |url=https://wset.com/sports/national/thompson-brothers-set-guinness-world-record-in-nll-game | access-date=2025-04-21}}

Heading into the 2023 NLL season, Inside Lacrosse ranked Thompson the #4 best forward in the NLL.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-01 |title=NLL Top 50 Players: Top 30 Forwards|url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/nll-top-50-players-top-30-forwards/60434 |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=Inside Lacrosse}}

Lyle Thompson has won the NLL Sportsmanship award multiple times.{{cite web | title=Thompson Wins 6th Straight Sportsmanship Award, Greer Named Best Teammate | website=Inside Lacrosse | date=May 14, 2024 | url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/thompson-wins-6th-straight-sportsmanship-award-greer-named-best-teammate/63408 | access-date=July 7, 2024}}

On Saturday January 12, 2019, the Georgia Swarm played at the Wells Fargo Center against the Philadelphia Wings. The game concluded with a Swarm victory 13-11, with Lyle scoring 3 goals and 3 assists.{{cite web | title=National Lacrosse League | website=Pointstreak Stats | date=2019-01-12 | url=http://nll_stats.wttstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=3365556&refresh=1 | access-date=2025-03-28}} The game received widespread media coverage because of derogatory and discriminatory statements made during the game.{{cite web | author=The Associated Press | title=Lyle Thompson: Fans threatened to "scalp" him during game | website=syracuse | date=2019-01-13 | url=https://www.syracuse.com/sports/2019/01/lyle-thompson-fans-threatened-to-scalp-him-during-game.html | access-date=2025-03-28}}{{cite web | title=IL Indoor Roundtable: Racism Rears Its Ugly Head in NLL | website=Inside Lacrosse | date=2019-01-16 | url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/il-indoor-roundtable-racism-rears-its-ugly-head-in-nll/53580 | access-date=2025-03-28}}{{cite web | title=Philadelphia Wings announcer loses job, suspended from Wells Fargo Center assignments after talk about Native American player | website=6abc Philadelphia | date=2019-01-15 | url=https://6abc.com/philadelphia-wings-lacross-scalp-him-georgia-swarm/5071309/ | access-date=2025-03-28}} Specifically, Philadelphia Wings public address announcer, Shawny Hill stated "let's snip the ponytail right here" about Lyle Thompson's traditional Indigenous American hair braid. Lyle also reported that two fans seated behind the Georgia Swarm bench stated they were going to scalp him.{{cite web |title=One thing that needs to be cleared up that people misunderstood from this tweet.
The crowd did NOT chant anything about scalping. This was 2 individuals behind swarm bench. | website=X (formerly Twitter) | url=https://x.com/lyle4thompson/status/1084869820867399685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1084869820867399685%7Ctwgr%5E3087ef15d6f5cba8af7f33caffc67e2d28c02f38%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fphiladelphia%2Fnews%2Fphiladelphia-wings-announcer-apologizes-for-lets-snip-the-pony-tail-remark-directed-toward-native-american-player%2F | access-date=2025-03-28}}

Historically, it was routine for administrators at residential schools in Canada and the United States to remove the original hairstyle of Indigenous children in part of a deculturalization process designed to sever the children's connection to their heritage, families and communities.{{cite web | author=The Canadian Press | title=Wings fire in-game announcer after racially insensitive remarks | website=TSN | date=2019-01-14 | url=https://www.tsn.ca/nll-s-philadelphia-wings-fire-in-game-announcer-after-racially-insensitive-remarks-1.1241402 | access-date=2025-03-28}} Reminiscent of this history, Swarm teammate Brendan Bomberry tweeted that Hill's statement "was disgusting and a reality for my ancestors when they were forced into Christian residential schools".{{cite web | title=Brendan Bomberry | website=X (formerly Twitter) | url=https://x.com/Leftybombz21/status/1084279203145699331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1084279203145699331%7Ctwgr%5Ebabc5f6fd4520b0eae692fc8662158ecddb99cb8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidelacrosse.com%2Farticle%2Flyle-thompson-calls-out-pa-s-inappropriate-comments-wings-nll-respond%2F53568 | access-date=2025-03-28}} Lyle Thompson tweeted that he had not heard discriminatory hostility like that since he was in high school.{{cite web | agency=Associated Press | title=Wings announcer apologizes for Native American remark; team, league vow discipline | website=WHYY | date=2019-01-13 | url=https://whyy.org/articles/wings-announcer-apologizes-for-native-american-remark-team-league-vow-discipline/ | access-date=2025-03-28}}

The announcer was promptly fired from his position. The Philadelphia Wings issued the following statement:

"Shawny Hill has been permanently removed from his role with the Philadelphia Wings and has been suspended from all in-arena announcing assignments at the Wells Fargo Center. In addition, the Wings are working closely with the National Lacrosse League to implement ongoing diversity training for all employees which will include a focus on the Native North American roots and traditions of the sport. The Wings remain deeply apologetic for the offensive comments that overshadowed Saturday night’s game and are fully committed to furthering a culture of respect."{{cite web | title=Philadelphia Wings - Statement from the Wings | website=X (formerly Twitter) | url=https://x.com/NLLwings/status/1084927742850797568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1084927742850797568%7Ctwgr%5E999f432ab93ca0313e92521b2a8264cd0b8fbe56%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidelacrosse.com%2Farticle%2Fphiladelphia-wings-remove-in-arena-announcer-following-inappropriate-comments%2F53577 | access-date=2025-03-28}}

Announcer Shawny Hill apologized on Twitter stating{{cite web | title=Shawny Hill | website=X (formerly Twitter) | url=https://x.com/ShawnyHill/status/1084473686374182912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1084473686374182912%7Ctwgr%5Ec1f99a516ec486a56ca6e4e78584807852b09f29%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fstage.usalacrosse.com%2Fmagazine%2Fdialed-your-lacrosse-fix-monday-jan-14 | access-date=2025-03-28}}

"I am deeply sorry for my insensitive statements during last night's game. My words were poorly chosen and were not intended as racially motivated. I understand the profound hurt my words have caused. I offer my sincere apology. My words do not reflect my personal beliefs, but represent a lack of knowledge on heritage and history."

In accordance with the league administrative decision, Hill has since not returned to announcing.

Thompson played for the Six Nations Chiefs of the Major Series Lacrosse League in the 2023 season, winning that season's MVP award and the championship.{{cite web | title=Road to the Mann Cup: Chiefs Complete Sweep of Lakers with 10-5 Win in Peterborough | website=Inside Lacrosse | date=2023-08-24 | url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/road-to-the-mann-cup-chiefs-complete-sweep-of-lakers-with-10-5-win-in-peterborough/62000 | access-date=2025-05-25}} The Chiefs won the championship again in the 2024 season, with Lyle winning the finals MVP award.{{cite web | title=Mann Cup: Repeat Pattern. Win Game. Six Nations Chiefs Are Back-to-Back Champs | website=Inside Lacrosse | date=2024-09-12 | url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/mann-cup-repeat-pattern-win-game-six-nations-chiefs-are-back-to-back-champs/64048 | access-date=2025-05-25}}

Lyle Thompson played at the forward position for the Haudenosaunee men's national lacrosse team (then under the name Iroquois) at the 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship. The team won the silver medal, falling to Canada (12-8) in the championship finals game. Lyle was award first-team all world honors.

Lyle Thompson played at the forward position for the Haudenosaunee men's national lacrosse team (then under the name Iroquois) at the 2019 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship. The team won the silver medal, falling to Canada (19-12) in the championship finals game.

Lyle Thompson played at the attack position for the Haudenosaunee men's national lacrosse team (then under the name Iroquois) in the 2014 World Lacrosse Championship. The team placed third, a new high placement record for the team. Lyle won first-team all-world honors.

Lyle played at the attack position for the Haudenosaunee men's national lacrosse team (then under the name Iroquois) in the 2018 World Lacrosse Championship in Israel. The team placed third.{{cite web |url=http://worldlacrosse2018.com/ |title=Home |website=worldlacrosse2018.com}}

Lyle played at the attack position for the Haudenosaunee men's national lacrosse team in the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship in San Diego, California. The team placed third.

:^(a) 2nd in Division I career points

:^(b) 2nd in Division I career assists

:^(c) 1st in Division I single season points

{{NLLCareerStats|player_name=Lyle Thompson|season4_loose_balls=94|season3_penalty_minutes=6|season3_playoff_penalty_minutes=0|season3_playoff_games_played=1|season3_playoff_goals=1|season3_playoff_assists=2|season3_playoff_loose_balls=10|season4_year=2019|season4_team=Georgia Swarm|season4_games_played=18|season4_goals=43|season4_assists=62|season4_penalty_minutes=6|season3_assists=40|season4_playoff_games_played=1|season4_playoff_goals=3|season4_playoff_assists=4|season4_playoff_penalty_minutes=0|season4_playoff_loose_balls=7|season5_year=2020|season5_team=Georgia Swarm|season5_games_played=12|season5_goals=27|season5_assists=33|season5_loose_balls=87|season3_loose_balls=123|season3_goals=46|season1_year=2016|season2_team=Georgia Swarm|season1_team=Georgia Swarm|season1_games_played=18|season1_goals=27|season1_assists=33|season1_loose_balls=81|season1_penalty_minutes=14|season1_playoff_games_played=1|season1_playoff_goals=4|season1_playoff_assists=2|season1_playoff_loose_balls=8|season2_year=2017|season2_games_played=18|season3_games_played=18|season2_goals=45|season2_assists=71|season2_loose_balls=126|season2_penalty_minutes=8|season2_playoff_games_played=4|season2_playoff_goals=6|season2_playoff_assists=15|season2_playoff_loose_balls=20|season3_year=2018|season3_team=Georgia Swarm|season1_playoff_penalty_minutes=0|season2_playoff_penalty_minutes=0|season5_penalty_minutes=4|season6_year=2022|season6_team=Georgia Swarm|season6_games_played=17|season6_goals=47|season6_assists=55|season6_loose_balls=107|season6_penalty_minutes=8|season7_year=2023|season7_team_link=Georgia Swarm|season7_games_played=18|season7_goals=46|season7_assists=60|season7_loose_balls=113|season7_penalty_minutes=2|season2_team_link=Georgia Swarm|season3_team_link=Georgia Swarm|season4_team_link=Georgia Swarm|season5_team_link=Georgia Swarm|season6_team_link=Georgia Swarm}}

Source:

{{MLLCareerStats|player_name=Lyle Thompson|season5_ground_balls=35|season4_playoff_games_played=1|season4_playoff_goals=4|season4_playoff_assists=1|season4_playoff_shots=7|season4_playoff_ground_balls=3|season5_year=2019|season5_team_link=Chesapeake Bayhawks|season5_games_played=15|season5_goals=46|season5_assists=27|season5_shots=137|season5_penalties=1|season4_ground_balls=5|season5_penalty_minutes=1|season5_playoff_games_played=2|season5_playoff_goals=5|season5_playoff_assists=3|season5_playoff_shots=14|season5_playoff_ground_balls=5|season6_team_link=Chesapeake Bayhawks|season6_year=2020|season6_games_played=5|season6_goals=14|season6_assists=5|season6_shots=37|season4_penalty_minutes=1|season4_shots=23|season1_year=2015|season2_ground_balls=18|season1_team_link=Florida Launch|season1_games_played=8|season1_goals=22|season1_assists=16|season1_shots=53|season1_ground_balls=17|season2_year=2016|season2_team_link=Florida Launch|season2_games_played=9|season2_goals=14|season2_assists=18|season2_shots=50|season3_year=2017|season4_assists=3|season3_team_link=Chesapeake Bayhawks|season3_games_played=6|season3_goals=19|season3_2pt_goals=1|season3_assists=8|season3_shots=54|season3_ground_balls=17|season3_penalty_minutes=1|season4_year=2018|season4_team_link=Chesapeake Bayhawks|season4_games_played=3|season4_goals=7|season6_ground_balls=12}}

Source:

{{MLLCareerStats|player_name=Lyle Thompson|season1_year=2021|season1_team=Cannons|season1_games_played=9|season1_goals=22|season1_assists=10|season1_shots=67|season1_ground_balls=21|season1_penalties=2|season1_penalty_minutes=1|season1_playoff_games_played=1|season1_playoff_goals=1|season1_playoff_assists=2|season1_playoff_shots=6|season1_playoff_ground_balls=4|season2_year=2022|season2_team=Cannons|season2_team_link=Cannons Lacrosse Club|season2_games_played=9|season2_goals=26|season2_assists=18|season2_shots=66|season2_ground_balls=22|season2_penalties=1|season2_penalty_minutes=0.5}}

The Thompson brothers founded the non-profit philanthropic organization, the 4 The Future Foundation, which aims to help Indigenous and underserved kids grow and thrive.{{Cite web |title=4TFF |url=https://www.4thefuturefoundation.org/4tff |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=4 The Future Foundation |language=en-US}}

In the early 2020s, when hundreds of Canadian Indigenous residential school gravesites were found, Lyle Thompson took the initiative to raise awareness about the issue using various methods, such as popularizing the #everychildmatters movement, wearing its specialized orange helmet chinstraps and wearing an orange ribbon in his braid during games.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-09 |title=Thompson Named Attackman, Humanitarian of the Year at 2022 PLL Awards |url=https://ualbanysports.com/news/2022/9/9/mens-lacrosse-thompson-named-attackman-humanitarian-of-the-year-at-2022-pll-awards.aspx |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=University at Albany Great Danes |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |title=As Lacrosse Ascends, a Reckoning With Its Past |language=en-us |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/lacrosse/2021/09/17/lacrosse-and-canadas-cultural-reckoning-daily-cover |access-date=2023-08-07}}{{Cite web |date=2021-08-11 |title=Every Child Matters: PLL Players Educate and Advocate for Victims of Residential Schools |url=https://www.lacrosseplayground.com/every-child-matters-pll-players-educate-and-advocate-for-victims-of-residential-schools/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Lacrosse Playground |language=en-US}} He was on the Sports Illustrated cover to raise awareness for the movement.

Lyle Thompson was also present at Dakota Access Pipeline protests in support of the Standing Rock Reservation. His college lacrosse coach Scott Marr, was also actively advocating for the Standing Rock Reservation.{{Cite web |title=Albany Coach Scott Marr: A Call to Action For Standing Rock |url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/albany-coach-scott-marr-a-call-to-action-for-standing-rock/36600 |access-date=2023-08-07}}{{Cite web |title=Lyle Thompson's Evolution From Shy Star to Influential Voice |date=7 November 2016 |url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/lyle-thompson-s-evolution-from-shy-star-to-influential-voice/36665 |access-date=2023-08-07}}

Lyle Thompson is a devout constituent of Native American religion, specifically, Haudenosaunee religion, which emphasizes the Great Spirit, often conceptualized in Haudenosaunee tradition as a single creation entity, also referred to as 'the Creator'. His spirit animal is the eagle.Teater, Emily (2023), the Iroquois religion is a complex and multifaceted system of beliefs and practices.

He wears his hair in a braid in accordance with Haudenosaunee tradition.{{Cite web |title=Why Indigenous boys and men choose to wear braids |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/why-indigenous-boys-and-men-wear-braids-1.3463817 |access-date=2023-08-07}} He is bilingual, fluent in both English and Onondaga language.{{Cite news |date=2014-03-10 |title=In a Native American Sport, a Family's Giant Leap (Published 2014) |work=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/10/sports/college-lacrosse-upended-by-albanys-native-american-stars.html |access-date=2023-08-07 |last1=Schonbrun |first1=Zach }} Onondaga language is his first language.

Lyle has emphasized that he adheres to the Haudenosaunee religious tradition of playing lacrosse primarily to entertain the Creator. In this regard, lacrosse is more than a game, it is salient feature of Haudenosaunee religion and culture. Lyle said in an interview:

It isn't just a game. It isn't just about going out and winning. You hear me talk about that all the time. It's not about winning; it's about having fun and playing with the right mindset and using the game as medicine.

He has expressed concerns about the presence of commercialism in youth sports and a fixated win-at-all costs mentality, which can be counterproductive to the deeper value of participation in sports. He has also expressed concerns that there is a trend amongst some parents of children participating in sports to curtail their children "in a certain direction, overtrain them, push them to the next level or make sure they’re the best on the team... and forget to ask them if they just had fun.”

Lyle is a lifelong teetotaler and abstainer of drugs.

He is a drawing artist, and he designed the stylized “T” logo himself for his company 'Thompson Brothers', with a braided spine like his family's recognizable hairstyle, one tip up and one tip down. He is also a sneaker collector.{{Cite web |title=Drawing Inspiration: Lyle Thompson's Story Behind Newest Nike Cleats |url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/fuel/industry/drawing-inspiration-lyle-thompsons-story-behind-newest-nike-cleats |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=www.usalaxmagazine.com |language=en}}

He has expressed support for Palestinians in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.{{cite journal | last=Chen | first=Chen | title=Sport and Transnational Indigenous Solidarity From Turtle Island to Palestine? Examining Iroquois Nationals' 2018 Trip to Israel | journal=Sociology of Sport Journal | publisher=Human Kinetics | year=2024 | issn=0741-1235 | doi=10.1123/ssj.2024-0051 | pages=1–12}}

Lyle Thompson is married to Amanda Longboat and together they have four daughters and one son.Sights and Sounds: Tewaaraton Trophy Banquet. (n.d.). Inside Lacrosse. https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/sights-and-sounds-tewaaraton-trophy-banquet/20192{{Cite web |title=Lyle Thompson Biography - Net Worth, Career, Wife, Jersey, Family, Salary |url=https://ebiographypost.com/celebrities/lyle-thompson-bio-net-worth-wife |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=eBiographyPost |language=en}} Currently, they live on the Six Nations reservation on the Canadian side of the border.{{Citation |title=LYLE. {{!}} Lyle Thompson Lacrosse Story | date=28 April 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gTBqQg24c4 |access-date=2023-08-07 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=UAlbany lacrosse great Lyle Thompson returns to 'home in my heart' |date=11 August 2021 |url=https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/UAlbany-lacrosse-great-Lyle-Thompson-returns-to-16380754.php |access-date=2023-08-07}} His children are homeschooled. Lyle covers the subjects of art and physical education.

{{s-start}}

{{succession box | before = Dhane Smith | title = NLL Most Valuable Player | years = 2017 | after = Mark Matthews}}

{{s-end}}

• 2014 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship
• Albany Great Danes men's lacrosse
• Miles Thompson
• Jeremy Thompson

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book | last=Downey | first=Allan | title=The Creator's Game | publisher=UBC Press | publication-place=Vancouver Toronto | date=2018-02-21 | isbn=978-0-7748-3605-0}}

• [https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AE9SC529J/ NLL Interview | Lyle Thompson | Every Child Matters ]
• [https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ELpJAJDFi/ PLL Interview | Lyle Thompson | Every Child Matters (Native American Heritage Day)]

• [https://themedicinegame.com/ The Medicine Game Official Website]

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjQGcDTcF2g The Medicine Game 2 | Episode 1]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcM8TyNZ3Nw The Medicine Game 2 | Episode 2]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVplvl-u8cI The Medicine Game 2 | Episode 3]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsFY5QQs0As The Medicine Game 2 | Episode 4]

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2vJ1K0DSHg Thompson Trio 2014 College Highlights]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNo-LjS8S4k Lyle Thompson 2018 World Outdoor Lacrosse Championship Highlights]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKUBPTvqBdQ Lyle Thompson 2019 MLL Highlights]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RAXHpz1H7w Lyle Thompson 2019-2020 NLL Highlights]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaMFfDCFgqk Lyle Thompson 2021 PLL Highlights]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyXp20WJisE Lyle Thompson 2022 PLL Highlights]

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14NnEwqL42o ESPN's #SCFeatured: Spirit Of The Game | Thompson Trio]

• [https://www.cbsnews.com/video/thompson-trio-honors-rich-family-history-through-lacrosse/ CBS News | Thompson Trio Interview]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsMPyBO0pxk Seeing Red Media | Lyle Thompson Interview]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gTBqQg24c4 The Lacrosse Network | Lyle Thompson ]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiNGR3H4i4o Stylin Strings | Thompson Brothers Interview]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt33AT8bV4s The Players' Tribune | Jai Thompson, Lyle Thompson's father on Lyle Thompson]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF4rSLKfP2g&t=1209s Al Jazeera English | Lyle Thompson & Jeremy Thompson Interview]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD1lga-gUKQ US Lacrosse Magazine | Overtime with Paul Carcaterra]

• [https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/philadelphia-wings-announcer-figured-derogatory-statement/5829/ Philadelphia Wings Announcer Loses Job Over Haircut Comment About Native American Player ]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66l6RRc9RkY&t=1s Fans threatened to 'scalp' Native American player during game ]

{{NLL MVPs}}

{{Tewaaraton Trophy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, Lyle}}

Category:1992 births

Category:Albany Great Danes men's lacrosse players

Category:American people of Mohawk descent

Category:Chesapeake Bayhawks players

Category:Florida Launch players

Category:Georgia Swarm players

Category:Iroquois nations lacrosse players

Category:Lacrosse forwards

Category:Living people

Category:National Lacrosse League major award winners

Category:Native American sportspeople

Category:Onondaga Nation people

Category:Premier Lacrosse League players

Category:Sportspeople from Onondaga County, New York

Category:University at Albany, SUNY alumni

Category:Lacrosse players from New York (state)

Category:Hawk Clan of the Iroquois