Boston Red Sox fans may recognize the name Shaq Thompson.Thompson, who is currently a rookie linebacker on the Carolina Panthers and will be playing in the Super Bowl tomorrow, was once a Red Sox prospect.

While Thompson did spend some time with Boston's rookie league team, after signing as the organization's 18th round draft pick in 2012, things didn't really work out. In 13 games with Boston's Gulf Coast League affiliate, Thompson had a real tough go of it, striking out 37 times in 39 total at bats.

It was the Red Sox' hope that Thompson's freakish athletic ability and willingness to give the game a shot would materialize into something great, but that clearly did not happen.

Though he tried baseball first, at his mother's urging, Thompson ended up choosing football, which appears to have been the right path.

After attending the University of Washington, Thompson was selected in the first round of last year's draft by the Panthers. He finished the regular season with 50 total tackles in 14 games and received praise for his work this season. 

Now, Thompson will have a shot to claim a Super Bowl trophy and help cap off what ended up being the right decision; leaving baseball behind.

 

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