By Colton Swiderski

Lacrosse as a way of life: Rush’s Jeremy Thompson

Jan 12, 2017 | 5:00 AM

Recognized in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) as one of the top face-off and loose ball pick-up specialists, Saskatchewan Rush player Jeremy Thompson is ready for his third season.

To Thompson, playing the game of lacrosse isn’t just a job; it’s a part of his Iroquois heritage.

“We’re born into the game of lacrosse. As a youngster we’re given a traditional lacrosse stick. When you’re born, as a male, you’re… given one and, when you leave this earth we’re given one in our coffin,” he said. “Right from the beginning of time, from birth to death, lacrosse is introduced to us.”

Thompson started playing organized lacrosse at eight-years-old. He had plenty of backyard experience playing with his three brothers Jerome, Lyle, and Miles Thompson, all members of the Georgia Swarm NLL team. On Jan. 7, 2016, the four brothers were recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most brothers playing in one single professional sports game.

Thompson said lacrosse has allowed him so many opportunities, including a college education. He added he currently has a Nike endorsement and runs a lacrosse business, Thompson Brothers Lacrosse, with his brothers. Created in 2011, the family travel across the United States teaching and growing the game of lacrosse.

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“It’s much more than anything I had ever hoped for or dreamt for,” Thompson said.

Thompson won a championship with the then Edmonton Rush in 2015, before the team was relocated to Saskatoon in 2016 where he’d go on to win a second championship. This past season, Thompson played in all 18 games for the Rush, picking up 174 loose balls, scoring seven goals and adding 13 assists for 20 points.

One game into the 2017 season, he has one assist.

Thompson encouraged young lacrosse players to be resilient, to stay positive and stay patient because whether sport or life, there will be challenges.  

“Always have a good mind, encourage the people around you and most importantly never give up,” he said. “Nothing’s perfect in this world, it’s going to take time, hard work and dedication to accomplish one dream or one goal at a time.”

Thompson and the Rush take on the Toronto Rock in week two on Saturday, Jan. 14. The team’s home opener and 2016 championship banner raising game is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 21.

Colton Swiderski is a news and sports reporter for meadowlakeNOW, paNOW and battlefordsNOW.com. He can be reached at cswiderski@jpbg.ca or tweet him @coltonswiderski.