Indiana Alumni Magazine
Blue Chip
Anthony Thompson's journey from Heisman runner-up to greater glory
By Bill Benner
… The time is December 1989. The place is the posh Downtown Athletic Club of New York, in the middle of Manhattan. The occasion is the nationally televised Heisman Trophy Award Ceremony.
There, in the front row, is [a] young man who first cowered in front of the media in Memorial Stadium. Anthony Thompson is seated in that front row, because he has become that most rare of Indiana University football species: A Heisman Trophy finalist — eventually, the runner-up.
…
If it ended right there, it would be a great story, no doubt about it. A backwards, shy, introverted youngster from a single-parent home in a poor section of Terre Haute goes to the state university, gains miles of yards, scores loads of touchdowns, helps his team win many games and his program earn respect, garners national attention, comes out of his shell, eventually earns his degree, and makes everyone proud.
Yes, darn good story, right there.
Only this one, to this day, just keeps getting better. And better. And better.
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