If you’re a casual NFL fan, you might not have heard much about Skylar Thompson. The Miami Dolphins quarterback didn’t play a single game all of the 2023 season, though he did make 2 touchdown passes in the 2022 season. 2023 was just Tua Tagovailoa‘s year, with the Dolphins’ starting quarterback leading the league at 4624 passing yards. Sadly, Thompson saw himself relegated to being a benchwarmer that year.

However, this year saw Tua suffering a concussion playing against the Buffalo Bills, and this opened the door for Skylar Thompson. It seems likely we’re going to be seeing a lot more of Thompson this season. There’s no better time than now to learn a little more about his background.

Who was Skylar Thompson’s mother Teresa?

Skylar Thompson’s journey had a tragic start; his mother was diagnosed with and died of breast cancer in 2004. Just 6 years old at the time, his mother Teresa was the second family member he had lost to cancer. His own grandfather, John Thompson, passed away of pancreatic cancer just 8 months prior to his mother. Speaking about the loss, Thompson has said “They were two of the most influential and meaningful people in my life, and I had a really hard time wrapping my mind around those losses.”

In 2021, Skylar Thompson and his family established the Thompson Family Cancer Research Fund in their memory. By mid 2022, the fund had raised more than $30,000 dollars to support KSU’s Johnson Cancer Research Center.

Who is Brad Thompson?

Skylar had always been a “momma’s boy,” and he was crushed after she passed away. Any 6-year-old would’ve been. So he was lucky he had Brad Thompson in his corner. Being a single parent is no easy feat, especially when dealing with loss yourself. But he stepped up to the plate and supported his son through a really tough time. He would later go on to marry Kathy Thompson.

Skylar and his dad, Brad, are still close to this day, both supporting each other. In fact, Head Coach at the Dolphins, Mike McDaniel, has credited Brad for Skylar’s athletic prowess in the past. High praise for a single father.

Life was more than a little unfair to the young man, but he had the support of his loved ones. That, in combination with his sheer tenacity, has brought him to where he is today. Though Tua’s injury was unfortunate, Skylar Thompson will hopefully make the most out of it, and lead the team well until Tua recovers.