‘It’s what quarterbacks are measured by’: Bethel-Thompson seeking first title

It has been a long journey, but McLeod Bethel-Thompson finds himself a win away from his crowning achievement as a starting quarterback: A professional football title.

The 34-year-old will try to lead the Toronto Argonauts to Grey Cup glory, but he’ll need to overcome a Winnipeg Blue Bombers squad that has won the past two CFL championships. Kickoff for the game at Mosaic Stadium is set for 5 p.m. on Sunday.

“It’s what quarterbacks are measured by,” Bethel-Thompson said. “We’re highly scrutinized, but we’re just representations of how well our team is playing in so many fashions.

“But we’re measured on making the right plays at the right time to get your team in the position to win the championship. That’s what the whole quarterback position is about. If I want to consider myself a good quarterback, then I better win some championships.”

Hard work can sum up Bethel-Thompson’s football career.

The San Francisco product played one season at UCLA before playing at Sacramento State University for three seasons. That move ended up being an omen for what awaited the quarterback in the pro ranks.

After going undrafted, Bethel-Thompson played a season in the Arena Football League with the San Jose SaberCats in 2011. He turned that into a short stint with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, but was cut by them. He then played with the Sacramento Mountain Lions in the United Football League.

Late in 2011, Bethel-Thompson got an opportunity with the Miami Dolphins on their practice roster.

He then bounced around the NFL, signing contracts with the 49ers (twice), Minnesota Vikings (twice), New England Patriots, Dolphins (again) and Philadelphia Eagles.

Despite all he learned during his time bouncing around teams, he said he doesn’t dwell on that.

“I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of football experiences south of the border, north of the border, in between the border. You don’t take anything right now; you stay completely in the moment,” Bethel-Thompson said.

In 2016, Bethel-Thompson made the trek north to the CFL, where he signed with Winnipeg on Sept. 20. He was released on Oct. 19.

“I wasn’t prepared for the CFL. I wish my agent or someone would have told me what I was going to do,” Bethel-Thompson said. “I just stood out in the cold and watched other people play football.

“I wasn’t ready for it. I didn’t have awareness. I was still caught up in the NFL. I had just left Eagles camp and I thought there was more football for me to play down there.”

In 2017, he signed with Toronto for what has become the longest stay of his career.

“Once it dawned on me that this was the next step and I was going there to play football, it made more sense,” Bethel-Thompson said.

He got to learn from one of the game’s best: Canadian Football Hall of Fame member Ricky Ray. Bethel-Thompson was Ray’s backup in 2017 and ’18, winning the Grey Cup in the first season he was there.

“I think a lot of the lessons (from Ray) didn’t come full circle until this year,” Bethel-Thompson said. “He epitomizes Zen on turf (with) his ability to be the same Zen, quiet, calm person.

“Whether it was the first snap of training camp or the Grey Cup, he had his routine, he had his process and he stuck to that throughout and you could see that was his ticket to success. A lot of the stuff that he exemplified didn’t fully click at the time. As time went on, I get why his career in the CFL was so long and why he could sustain success because he was a pillar that everyone could circle themselves around.

“He was a champion and you see why.”

Since arriving in the CFL, Bethel-Thompson has thrown for 13,261 yards with 70 touchdowns and 49 interceptions. He led the CFL in passing in 2022 with 4,731 yards.

Bethel-Thompson is looking forward to getting a chance to play against the top team in the CFL with the ultimate prize on the line.

“The whole reason to play football at this time is to play against the best and for the last three years, (the Bombers) have been the best team in the league,” Bethel-Thompson said. “We want to play the best players at the biggest stage at their best and beat them and that’s what I feel like we’re ready for.

“I’m excited more than anything. I don’t think of legacy. I don’t think of anything long term. The reward for hard work is more hard work, so I get to go watch film this week and prepare to play a football game and that’s the most exciting part.”