Former Red Sox Draft Pick Gives Boston Someone to Cheer

For a lot of baseball websites, SuperBowl Sunday means trotting out your trite post on former Montreal Expos draft pick Tom Brady.

But with no Brady in the big game…what does that mean for Boston fans? Seriously, does this mean that BeanTown will have to side with Brady’s nemesis Peyton Manning and the team that knocked the New England Patriots out of the playoffs?!?

Nope. Not with Shaq Thompson on the field.

The Carolina Panthers rookie was, before heading to the University of Washington to pursue football, selected in the 18th round of the 2012 by the Red Sox. But as our friends over at Monstah Mash remind everyone…dude’s Gulf Coast League careered fizzled before it even got started.

Thompson, who, at the time, was 18 years old, went 0-for-39 with 37 strikeouts over 13 games. Sunday, he’ll be starting at linebacker in SuperBowl 50.

Not too shabby.