Catching Up With Chris Thompson
By Patrik Nohe
Sep 22, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Chris Thompson (25) returns a kick as Detroit Lions wide receiver Micheal Spurlock (15) defends during the first half at FedEX Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Thompson, one of the most beloved Seminoles in recent memory, was back in Tallahassee on Tuesday at Florida State’s Pro Day. I had a chance to catch up with him for a few minutes to ask him about life with the Washington Redskins, Devonta Freeman and how his knee is feeling.
Here is the audio-clip of the interview, you can read a full transcript below.
How was your first year in the NFL?
"Good, man. Just a little rough year going 3-13 and everything but overall just a good experience. Enjoyed it."
What you expected or a little bit different?
"It was a lot more than I expected, I expected it to be fun and everything but it was just like every single day man, just fun going out to practice, being with guys I used to look at like RGIII and I knew a lot about Deangelo Hall even in high school and stuff and even Brandon Merriwether, he always was one of my favorite players from Miami so just being able to play with them guys, being with them every day, it’s a lot bigger than what I expected."
What was it like watching from a distance as FSU did what they did this year?
"Man I was bragging every single week, a lot of my teammates was like, ‘man, you think the boys are going to do it this year?’ [I told them] ‘yeah just keep watching.’ And they didn’t let me down, man. I’m proud of Jameis for accomplishing everything he did with the Heisman and everything. I can, just being around him yesterday, I can still see he has the same hunger that he had last year, so… I’m excited to see these boys in this Pro Day go on to their NFL dreams and all the Florida State guys hopefully we’ll get some back-to-back, to back, to back national championships."
You played a big role in bringing Devonta Freeman along as a younger player, you saw him go this year for 1,000 yards, what’s your impression of him moving forward?
"Devonta is like my little brother, man. Since the first day he got here in the Spring I told him, I said man I don’t know when your time is going to be, but it’s going to come soon. He took over as a starter as a freshman and he’s been playing good ever since. I’m glad he accomplished 1,000 yards. You know a lot of people asked me how would I feel with him getting it and not me? I’m more happy for him. I’m just glad somebody finally did it and just this whole journey man I’ve been talking to him a lot, just trying to let him know how things work and everything. He’s been having questions for me about this and that, you know, how to approach media, what to expect from coaches and everything so I’ve been helping him out a lot, man."
Do you feel like Devonta was ever fully appreciated by Florida State fans?
"I wish he could have been appreciated a little more but, you know, him and Wilder were a one-two punch their whole three years here. I think a lot probably had to do with me coming from my back injury this last year [too]. The fans are great here though. He’ll prove himself, he’s about to go on to the NFL and he’ll be fine."
Back to you real quick, you were coming back from the knee injury you had your senior year last year, did you ever feel full strength? Are you 100% now?
"I feel a whole lot better now. It took about a year, so not until November came around did I really start to feel good but I feel perfectly fine now and I’m ready to get the season going."
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