HEARTBREAKING NEWS: Donnell Thompson, a 1977 Lumberton High School graduate and Shrine Bowl participant, went on to a distinguished football career at the University of North Carolina, earning All-ACC honors. Drafted by the Colts in 1981, he became a key player, starting 143 of 146 games before retiring in 1992.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Thompson is celebrated for his character and business acumen. He had business ventures with his UNC roommate Ron Wooten. Known for his strong values and pride in representing UNC, he built a successful business portfolio that includes the likes of Choice Hotels International, Zaxby’s, Denny’s, McDonald’s, Del Taco, and Checkers & Rally’s. Most recently, Thompson was president of Checkerboard Foods, which operates Denny’s and Checkers & Rally’s locations in Atlanta, Birmingham, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida. In 2003, he was honored with the Harvey E. Beech Outstanding Alumni Award from UNC, reflecting his ongoing impact and dedication.
He was once asked about key influences along his journey, and he responded thusly:
- Formative influences/events: Sports. Playing any kind of sports—football for me. It builds structure, team, and discipline. If you can be coached, you can succeed. That’s what my coaches told me, and it’s the same for our business.
- Key accomplishments: My relationships with my longtime friends from the University of North Carolina. We’ve all gone through life and stayed close as we’ve grown through our lives. I’ve had these friendships for 35 to 40 years.
- Hardest lesson learned: You can learn from failures. You can’t be afraid to pull the trigger. Just like in sports, you can’t sack the QB if you’re afraid to be offsides. You have to study the business and know when to pull the trigger. Sometimes you are right, and sometimes you are wrong. Celebrate the successes and work to overcome the shortcomings.
- Best advice you ever got: As a young kid I had a mentor, Robert Osterneck, an early coach. He told me to be on time, always know what you’re doing, study, and have fun and enjoy what you do.
It is with tremendous sadness tonight that we at Packed House Sports report news, learned earlier through Colts owner Jim Irsay, that our beloved Tar Heel brother Donnell “Foots” Thompson has transitioned to glory. May he forever rest in peace, his good works live on, and may his family and vast community of loved ones be comforted.
