Approximately $20,000 was raised for Erik Thompson and his family last Friday at Ogden High’s football game in a tribute to the Ogden football coach who is battling ALS.

The money came from a combination of outside donations, a portion of the game’s gate revenue and concessions — and, another $7,000 came in anticipation of Ogden School District superintendent Luke Rasmussen participating in the once-viral Ice Bucket Challenge, according to Bryant Thompson, Erik’s brother.

Orange “Thompson Tough” T-shirts  were distributed to the first 1,000 fans at the game, which Bryant Thompson said were obtained through a donation by a family friend.

It was part of a grand gesture by the school, family, friends and the community to show how much they appreciate Erik Thompson, who went public with his ALS diagnosis earlier this summer.

After halftime, he and the team were welcomed back onto the field by the fans who lined up in a tunnel and cheered. Erik stopped and fist-bumped several people, hugged some, and said hello to more.

He also spoke to the crowd, his voice wavering with emotion.

“I’m just overwhelmed tonight with your love and more than anything, the thing that keeps me going is everyone reaching out with those texts and emails and messages of hope and love that keeps me going,” he said.

“I hope that in our time together that I express that and you know how much I love you,” Thompson continued.

Fans also got a commemorative game program, which included tributes and stories from 58 people including former players, people Thompson has coached with, played with, family members, classmates and even a former elementary school teacher of his.

“As a young boy, in my class at North Park elementary, Erik caught my attention and kept it. He was kind to his teacher and all of his classmates. He was a gentle and kind young boy who championed the underdog — his goodness extended to everyone,” wrote Denise Sly, Erik’s fifth-grade teacher at North Park Elementary in Roy. “Aren’t we glad this shy, beautiful boy grew into an even more compassionate, and noble man? Our world is a better place because of the sterling example and steadfast influence of Erik Thompson.”

The 57 additional tributes and stories were similar: how Thompson would trust his players’ instincts in big situations in games, how he rushed onto the field after seeing a player’s leg break, how he encouraged a player who dropped a wide-open touchdown pass instead of berating him, how his unwavering confidence and positivity still reverberates in the people who have been around him.

“I remember my last game at Northridge where we lost a heartbreaker to the eventual state champs. After the game, I dropped and was just overcome with the emotion of the season being over,” wrote Austin Tate, a former player of Thompson’s at Northridge High. “I remember Coach T talking to me and telling me that I have a lot of great things ahead for me. With my senior season ending, it almost felt like I was losing a parent (in not being able to play for Coach Thompson anymore), but that’s just who he is as a coach and as a person.”

The fans at the game on Friday also watched the Tigers win 42-14 against Grand County. Ogden led 42-7 at halftime, improved to 2-2 and it was also Erik Thompson’s 100th win as a head coach. Kire Thompson, a sophomore receiver and Erik’s son, also caught a TD pass in the game.

There’s at least one more event. Thompson’s alma mater, Roy High, has plans to honor him during the school’s h0me football game Thursday, Sept. 16, against Kearns, which will be televised on KJZZ.

Newsletter