Chiefs D-Train: The Little Engine That Will

Chiefs D-Train: The Little Engine That Will – Drafted in the 6th round by the Chiefs in the 2019 NFL Draft 214th overall and that’s just 40 fewer draft spots than the dubious “Mr. Irrelevant,” running back Darwin Thompson is no stranger to overcoming obstacles, long odds, or whatever other obstacles might be blocking his path.

At Jenks High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Thompson made the team but did not start. By the end of his years at Jenks, not only had he helped lead JHS to a state title, but he also garnered honorable mention All-Metro Honors. Despite this, he received zero offers for NCAA athletic scholarships.

Undeterred, Thompson attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M junior college.  He had no problem starting there. A second-team NCJAA All-American and conference Offensive MVP as a sophomore, the speedy, elusive RB rushed for 1,029 yards and nine touchdowns.

“I gotta make up for my size somewhere and that’s the weight room.  Every day. Day in and day out, I spend time in the weight room knowing that I’m only 5’8, so I gotta build my base, my core, and it shows on the field. My contact balance, it shows up because of the weight room. If I was 6’2, 220, how much more would that add to me, but I’m 5’8 and I gotta make up for it somewhere.” – Darwin Thompson

However, the NCJAA was just too small for the too-small (by running back standards) Thompson.  His solution was to transfer to Utah State. Faced with the greatest challenge in his brief college career, how would Thompson respond?

• • Mountain West 2nd-Team All-Conference (2018)
  • 1,044 Yards Rushing for 14 Touchdowns
  • 23 Pass catches for 351 Yards and 2 Touchdowns
  • 6.8 Average Rush on 153 Carries in 13 games in 9 Starts

How would Thompson fair in his senior year at USU?  Surely he could top that. Right? Not happening.  Turns out that the NCAA was too small, too.

Thompson declared for the 2019 NFL Draft. Well, the NFL decided that not only was the 5-foot-8, 200 pound RB too small for the NFL but not good enough either. They chose not to invite him to the 2019 NFL Combine.

“I’m supposed to be the underdog. I’ve been like this all my life. I’ve never been handed anything. I’ve had to work for everything. I’ve had to prove my worth… It’s God’s plan. It’s another opportunity to prove my worth and inspire somebody else. Don’t let the doubters weigh you down.”  – Darwin Thompson

Turns out, that despite his hard work and his struggles, D-Train’s track had run out. Thankfully, for Thompson and Chiefs Kingdom, the Chiefs Front Office did not think so and drafted him as their last pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.

All Thompson has done since, has proved his naysayers wrong. Both in his offseason conditioning and his work in OTAs and so far in Chiefs Training Camp.

Special Teams Coach Toub probably racks his brain at night figuring out what he can do with D-Train on his squad. One has to wonder how many high fives Chiefs VP Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid have shared since the draft earlier this year in their excellent sixth-round pick. Do you think the Chiefs leading three RBs, Damien Williams, Carlos Hyde, and Darrel Williams lose sleep at night a little worried? They should.

Chiefs Kingdom, are you seeing a pattern here? Any… “he can’t” and any… “he won’t” and any… “there’s no way”… simply adds fuel and speed to the D-Train.

I am, admittedly, unabashedly, and unashamedly, on the Thompson bandwagon. Heck, I could be the engineer… or at least the stagecoach driver!

Barring training camp or preseason injuries, or atrocious play by Damien Williams, and whoever the 2nd running back the Chiefs choose, Thompson will start the season as KC’s third RB… but, he will definitely end it as either their number two or number one.

The D-Train KC Express will depart from One Arrowhead Way, Kansas City, Missouri on August 10, 2019, at 7 PM.  Arrival destination appears to be 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens, Florida on February 2, 2020. Exact time of arrival, ETA, is as yet, undetermined. ALL ABOARD!!!

Bonus Fun Fact: Thompson’s uncle is David Thompson, who played at Oklahoma State before spending three seasons with the St. Louis Rams (1997-1999). Uncle Thompson saw action in 12 games for the Rams in that time, returning 49 kicks for 1,110 yards.

Michael Travis Rose — ArrowheadOne

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