Packers & Ted Thompson confirm that former GM stepped down due to health problems

After much speculation over the past two-plus years, Thompson has confirmed that a medical condition forced him to step down as GM.

Following the Green Bay Packers’ 2017 season, the team made a massive change in leadership in the personnel department. Ted Thompson, the team’s general manager for more than a decade, stepped down from that post to take an advisory role. After an extensive search, the Packers promoted Brian Gutekunst to GM.

Much speculation took place about Thompson’s health, and though unconfirmed, the evidence of issues was present. On Wednesday, Thompson and the Packers issued a statement confirming that the former GM has indeed been dealing with a medical condition and that it was the driving reason behind the decision for him to step down.

In the statement, Thompson describes the condition as an “autonomic disorder,” which is a category of conditions that affect the nervous system controlling involuntary functions. He did not provide specifics on what specific disorder is affecting him, but it clearly impacted his ability to function normally as general manager and evidently has required multiple evaluations at several different medical facilities. Interestingly, Thompson also clarified that CTE, the condition connected to head trauma that has been highly-publicized in recent years, does not appear to be a factor. Thompson did have a ten-year playing career as a linebacker in the NFL, but thankfully that condition is not an additional concern.

Thompson also further expanded on the decision to step down, confirming that the decision was a mutual one between him and team president Mark Murphy.

It is surely no coincidence that Thompson’s statement comes on the heels of his induction into the Packers Hall of Fame this weekend. Furthermore, it appears likely that in conjunction with that honor and this statement, his role with the team will be reduced further to allow him to focus fully on his health.

We at Acme Packing Company wish Thompson the best of luck and success in dealing with his condition.

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