Rock Hill’s James Thompson named Panthers coach of the week

Rock Hill’s James Thompson was honored Sunday night by the Carolina Panthers as their youth football coach of the week.

Thompson received an email three weeks ago from the Panthers’ Nick McManus, a public relations guy for the NFL team. He was recognized before Sunday night’s game against Philadelphia with the video clip airing at Bank of America Stadium during the second quarter. The stadium wasn’t as full as it was during the game, but it was still a little nerve-wracking.

“There was a lot of people out there,” Thompson said Tuesday morning. “It was exciting. I was humbled, very grateful. It’s a great honor.”

The nomination was a surprise, the work of Thompson’s fellow coach Robert Ouzts. The pair have coached the Northside-Ebenezer Raiders peewee football team together for around five years. The 39-year old Thompson started out first as an interested parent helping coach his son’s team. But he eventually got certified to coach youth football and also took classes to become USA Football Heads Up certified, a title that tasks him with monitoring the Raiders’ overall safety.

“He just exemplifies what you would want a coach to be for your child,” said Ouzts. “Just above and beyond as a coach, and also just a great person to be around.”

Ouzts said Thompson is like a father figure to many of the 9 and 10-year olds they coach, some of whom come from single-parent homes. Few youth football coaches volunteer their time with the expectation that one day they’ll be standing on the sidelines at Bank of America Stadium in front of thousands of fans.

“For me, it’s about the kids,” Thompson said. “So, to get something like that to happen, I was definitely surprised.”

This story was originally published October 27, 2015 at 2:15 PM with the headline "Rock Hill’s James Thompson named Panthers coach of the week."