Falcons rookie Anterio Thompson has revealed the stunning diagnosis he received this past May, ending his NFL career before it could even begin.<\/p>\n
Thompson shared an update to Instagram<\/a> last Thursday, his 24th birthday, saying that he is \u201cBlessed to make it to 24. Mentally, I\u2019ve been better than anyone would be in my situation. As a football player you know one day you\u2019ll have to hang up your cleats but you just hope it\u2019s on your own terms. May 8th, 2026 I was told I would never play football again due to a genetic mutation in my spinal cord that I had no idea about.<\/p>\n Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Anterio Thompson. Atlanta Falcons<\/p>\n Falcons DT Anterio Thompson pressures Panthers QB Bryce Young on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to explain what it feels like to go through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in the matter of seconds. I believe everything happens for a reason and this was nothing but God protecting and giving me a reason to be closer to Him.\u201d<\/p>\n Washington defensive lineman Anterio Thompson plays during a college football game against Rutgers on Oct. 10, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n The Falcons placed Thompson on their Non-Football Injury list on July 29th after drafting him 208th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Washington, where he played his last collegiate year after time at Iowa and Western Michigan. <\/p>\n