by DULUTH, Ga. (June 28, 2022) – For the fourth consecutive season, Lyle Thompson won the National Lacrosse League (NLL) Sportsmanship Award. The lacrosse icon has shown an unparalleled level of respect and support for the game, the league, and his colleagues throughout his career.
“Lyle is not only a great player and teammate,” said Head Coach Ed Comeau. “He is the epitome of how to play the game. He plays hard but has great respect for his opponents and the game. Lyle is an excellent teacher and a great role model to young lacrosse players in our league and all-around lacrosse.”
Not only is this the fourth-straight season Thompson won the award, but it makes five in a row for the Georgia Swarm. During the 2017 season, Jordan Hall claimed the accolade while Thompson received Most Valuable Player honors. This marks five years in a row Thompson collected an end-of-season award.
“Everyone knows Lyle is a great lacrosse player,” said Georgia Swarm Owner and General Manager John Arlotta. “However, unless you get to see him as a player sees him or spend time with him personally, you might not know what an amazing person he is. He’s a fierce competitor on the floor, but he plays with ultimate respect for the game, his teammates, and his opponents. We are truly privileged to have him as a member of the Georgia Swarm.”
On the field, Thompson set a career high 47 goals in a single season tying him for first place in the league. The Onondaga Nation native also recorded 55 assists, combining for 102 points which ended ranking fifth in the NLL. Thompson also led the league leaderboards in shots, taking 198.
Off the field, the four-time Sportsmanship Award recipient grows the game by conducting clinics with the Georgia Swarm and his personal business, Thompson Brothers Lacrosse. During these sessions, Thompson explains the origins and history of the game while helping first timers grasp the game of lacrosse and expanding experienced players skillset.
In addition to teaching lacrosse, Thompson leads efforts in raising awareness towards the mass unmarked graves and atrocities that have unfolded at native boarding and residential schools in North America. You can learn more by visiting the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition or the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund.
Lyle was not the only Thompson to have his name called for an award as older brother, Jeremy Thompson was named the 2021-22 Teammate of the Year Award. Jeremy is viewed as a leader not only from Panther City Lacrosse Club’s roster but across the league as at least one person from each team nominated him for this award.
This marks the first time two brothers have ever won the Sportsmanship and Teammate award in the same season. It speaks true to who the Thompson family is, their character, and how they treat the game and those they play it with the upmost respect.
The Georgia Swarm would like to congratulate Toronto Rock’s Dan Dawson and Vancouver Warriors’ Keegan Bal who were named finalists for the Sportsmanship Award.
The NLL stated, “Lyle Thompson is the only player to win this award four times since its inception in 2002.” To read more about all the 2021-22 end of the season NLL award winners, visit NLL.com.
