Sports · American Football · 1 hr ago
Falcons rookie Anterio Thompson says spinal condition ends his football career
Falcons rookie Anterio Thompson says he was told he cannot play football again because of a genetic mutation in his spinal cord.
The 24-year-old defensive tackle shared the news on Instagram this week.
Atlanta drafted Thompson in the sixth round in 2026 after he played college football at Washington.
He has been on the reserve/non-football injury list since training camp and has not been with the team since spring.
The spinal condition has ended his hopes of continuing his football career, which Thompson said he had hoped to end on his own terms.
Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski had said he had no update before Thompson’s post became public, and no further next steps were stated.
Atlanta Falcons rookie defensive tackle Anterio Thompson says a genetic mutation of his spinal cord means he will never play football again.
Thompson shared the news on Instagram.
He has been on the reserve/non-football injury list since training camp and has not been with the team since the spring.
The Falcons selected Thompson in the sixth round of the 2026 draft.
He played college football at the University of Washington in 2025.
- Who
- Anterio Thompson, an Atlanta Falcons rookie defensive tackle.
- What
- He says he was told he will never play football again because of a genetic mutation of his spinal cord.
- When
- He shared the news on Instagram this week, on October 30, 2026.
- Where
- The news was shared on Instagram. Thompson has been away from the Falcons.
- Why
- A genetic mutation of his spinal cord.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Thompson was no longer with the Falcons.
Thompson went on the reserve/non-football injury list.
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said he had no update on Thompson before the Instagram post circulated publicly.
Thompson wrote on Instagram that he had been told he would never play football again.
- Team
- Atlanta Falcons
- Position
- Defensive tackle
- Draft
- Sixth round, 2026
- College
- University of Washington, 2025
- Age
- 24
- Medical issue
- Genetic mutation of his spinal cord
2 sources
What people are saying
I was told I would never play football again due to a genetic mutation in my spinal cord that I had no idea about.
As a football player you know one day you'll have to hang up your cleats but you just hope it's on your own terms.
I have no update.