Thompson Balances Family Life With Football

Article reprinted courtesy of Fargo Forum and reporter Eric Peterson. Photo courtesy of Sidney Alise Photography

MOORHEAD — Collin Thompson isn't your typical 22-year-old college football player.

The Concordia Cobbers senior defensive end is married with two kids and also has a part-time job to go along with his athletic and academic responsibilities.

"It's been really great," said Thompson, from Thatcher, Arizona. "At the end of the day, I go to work, I go to school, I go to practice, I do these things, and I'm coming home to my wife, I'm coming home to the kids. I have their support at the games. It's a lot of fun."

Thompson has been great on the football field for the Cobbers with 13 tackles for a loss and three sacks through five games. Concordia plays Hamline at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play at Jake Christiansen Stadium.

Thompson ranks in the top 10 in NCAA Division III in tackles for a loss.

"He handles it flawlessly and he handles it with such grace." said Cobbers head coach Terry Horan. "I never see him rattled. I never see him look tired or upset. He's an incredible gift to Concordia."

The 6-foot-2, 265-pound Thompson has a 3-year-old stepson Liam and seven-month-old son Callum with his wife Alexa. The two were married in July of 2021.

"I think it's really impressive," Alexa said. "He's got a lot on his plate and he does everything with success."

Collin credits Alexa and the support of both their families and the Cobbers football program to make it all work. A double major in business administration and computer science, Collin also works more than 20 hours per week at Border States in Fargo.

On days when he works his job, he starts at 7 a.m., and most of his days end around 7 p.m. when football practice is completed. Then it is home for supper and to help put the kids to bed.

"I'm a parent at the end of the day," Collin said.

Collin had a gender reveal with the team after one practice last fall before Callum was born in February. He's brought his kids to football meetings and into the coaching offices on occasion throughout fall camp and the season.

"You've got guys that I don't know if they can tie their shoes sitting next to a guy who is a dad who has bigger responsibilities," said Cobbers defensive coordinator Kyle Bakken.

"I don't know how many 22-year-olds who can do what he's doing," Horan added. "Every time I visit with him, it's like I'm visiting with a 40-year-old, somebody a little more seasoned. He just has that air to him."

Collin said the plan is to return next fall for an extra season, from the COVID-19 pandemic. He got married to Alexa — who had a son — after his first year of college at Concordia.

"I kind of became a dad and husband all at the same time," Collin said. "I've had to mature really fast."

Horan said the gender reveal after practice was a first for his coaching career. Horan played a key role in the reveal.

"I gave him a little confetti popper," Collin said. "He fired off a little confetti cannon and it was awesome. It shot off blue. Everyone came and swarmed me, just awesome support from all the guys."

Cobbers junior quarterback Cooper Mattern said Collin has been an inspiration to the team.

"It's impressive with all he has to handle," Mattern said. "I feel like if I had to do that, I would be missing meetings and practice."

Alexa said family members have helped in watching the kids to allow Collin and Alexa date nights. Collin's sister Ashlyn Thompson is a freshman volleyball player for the Cobbers. She's also help with babysitting.

"We fit it in there as best we can, even though it is a little tricky," said Alexa, who is from Minot, North Dakota.

Alexa said she didn't know football worked until she married Collin. She liked soccer and swimming while she was growing up in Minot.

"It was definitely a new thing for me," Alexa said with a laugh.

Collin said being around his football teammates for meetings, practices and games help provide a social life to fit into his busy schedule.

"That's where football is really nice," Collin said. "It's like forced social time. I'm at football, but I'm with 100-something guys. I get along with all of them."

If he wants to get dinner with his teammates after practice or on weekends, that is something Collin has to be more planned out than your typical college student.

"I think my schedule is a lot more strict than theirs," Collin said. "Halfway through practice, they might be like 'Let's go get dinner tonight,' kind of that freedom. I go to bed."

Bakken said Collin's teammates like to joke with him about being the old man on the team in a good-natured fashion.

"The joke is he's not going to Mick's Office with them," Bakken said, referring to the Moorhead bar popular with Concordia students. "He's going home."

Collin said he's used to having a full schedule since he was a multiple-sport athlete at Thatcher High School, to along with other extracurricular activities.

"I think I'm the type of guy that doesn't like to not having things to do," Collin said. "I've been able to manage a lot."

Collin said he's become accustomed having a non-typical college social life.

"I've kind of adjusted to it," Collin said. "I don't try to stay up super late if I can avoid it, if I know I might have to get up to help the kid."