Morehouse College's Trovante Thompson Excels with Support of Parents

Earlier this year when Morehouse College released its football schedule for the 2014 season, among those who were enthralled was Verlee Thompson.

Thompson is the mother of Morehouse senior center Trovante Thompson, a former standout at Memphis Whitehaven High.

A self-proclaimed “football mom,” Verlee Thompson on Tuesday summed up the notion of harboring such a title.

“The special aspect of being a football mom is the dedication and support of my son,” Verlee Thompson told Bleacher Report. “I know it means a lot to Trovante to look in the football stands and see his parents sitting there, not to mention what my football shirt design will be for the game.

"He will stand there and look until he knows where to look up in the stands. I am his biggest fan and coach. I will critique him and discuss with him when the game is over. Now that he is the center, I find myself focusing on the exchange of the football between him and the quarterback.”

Verlee Thompson and Trovante’s father, Troy Thompson, a former University of Memphis linebacker (1988-91) have become so involved in their son’s athletic accomplishments that it’s safe to assume they have become season ticket holders for Morehouse football. Regardless of where the Tigers travel throughout the season, the Thompsons make certain their flight is booked in time to appear at their son’s games.

Surely, they will be on hand for Saturday night’s contest at 7 p.m. ET when Morehouse takes on Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida in the season-opener for both teams.

As Verlee Thompson tells it, traveling regularly to watch her son play on weekends has become a customary trend, in large part because it serves as leisure time, of sorts, away from the hustle and bustle of holding down two jobs during the week.

Not only that, the Thompsons have a good reason to drive across the country and use frequent flyer miles to watch their son in action, considering the frightening event that transpired in his dormitory during last year’s training camp.

Shortly after the team’s third intrasquad scrimmage, Thompson’s sight suddenly became obscured. Consequently, he began losing memory before ultimately blacking out on the floor. Fortunately for Thompson, his former college roommate, Quadarius Bennett, also a former Whitehaven player, was in Atlanta to visit him that weekend.

After alerting paramedics, Thompson immediately was transported to the hospital, where doctors said he had suffered from dehydration and hypoglycemia, a medical emergency that involves an abnormally diminished content of glucose in the blood.

The news came as a shock to Verlee Thompson who, while fielding a call from Freeman, was told initially that her son was unresponsive upon his arrival to the hospital.

Within approximately an hour, Verlee Thompson and Troy Thompson had boarded a flight bound for Atlanta.

Fortunately for the Thompsons, their son’s status improved considerably by the time they arrived to Atlanta. Trovante Thompson, in fact, was discharged after spending a couple of hours in the emergency room.

A little more than a year removed from the potentially fatal incident, Trovante Thompson consequently has become the catalyst of a Morehouse team that is aiming to end a six-game winless streak dating back to last season's 2-8 finish.

Last week the 6’3”, 280-pound Thompson was named one of the team captains, news that brought smiles to his two favorite road warriors.

“He has great character and leadership that he has shown to teammates, and they are respectful of his decision making on and off the field,” Verlee Thompson said.

Said Trovante’s father, Troy: “We’re happy to see all of his hard work and dedication to be voted team captain by his teammates. That shows that he is trusted and respected among the team.”

While the Thompsons are hoping the Trovante and Co. will erase the memory of last year’s display, among the things they can look forward to is life after football for their son.

Next year around this time, the 21-year-old Trovante—who is scheduled to graduate in May—will be enrolled in Law School, another lofty milestone that will almost certainly bring the self-proclaimed “football mom” to smile once again.

“There is a saying that I tell him,” said Verlee Thompson, citing an unknown author. "That is, 'Take Pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go.'”

No doubt, the Thompsons will be there cheering their son along, just as they've done for the past three years at Morehouse.

Andre Johnson is a frequent contributor for Bleacher Report. Based in Dallas, Texas, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division. To reach Johnson, send an email to [e-mail]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.