McLeod Bethel-Thompson leaves the Toronto Argonauts on a successful word.
The veteran quarterback introduced on social media Wednesday that he’ll play with the USFL’s New Orleans Breakers in 2023. Bethel-Thompson grew to become a CFL free agent earlier this month after serving to Toronto win the ’22 Grey Cup.
“My subsequent journey begins with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL and can proceed with important NFL curiosity within the fall,” Bethel-Thompson wrote on his Instagram account. “I are not looking for this choice to be seen in any approach as a dismissal of the CFL.
“I really like the CFL and have the best regard for it. Enjoying within the states this 12 months permits household and soccer to overlap and I could not cross that chance up.”
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Bethel-Thompson’s choice is no surprise. After Toronto’s 24-23 championship win over Winnipeg final November, he talked about how tough it was for him to be away from his spouse, Chinaka, and their younger daughter, Aziza, for lengthy intervals of time in the course of the CFL season.
Bethel-Thompson added that household would determine prominently in his offseason issues.
“What’s the hardest a part of enjoying soccer?” Bethel-Thompson wrote on his Instagram account. “The time you sacrifice with family members.
“My fantastic accomplice Chinaka, daughter Aziza and my complete household have given me house to take part within the insanity that it takes to pursue perfection. It is time for me to remain nearer to house and pursue my dream with household by my facet.”
The 34-year-old American spent the previous 5 seasons with Toronto (2017-19, 2021-22), successful a Grey Cup in his first 12 months with the franchise because the backup to veteran Ricky Ray.
The six-foot-four, 220-pound Bethel-Thompson threw for a CFL and career-high 4,731 yards with 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions final season. He led Toronto (11-7) to first place within the East Division for a second straight season earlier than finishing 19-of-27 passes for 299 yards and two TDs within the Argos’ 34-27 convention remaining victory win over the Montreal Alouettes.
It earned Toronto a Grey Cup look towards closely favored Winnipeg. Bethel-Thompson was 15-of-28 passing for 203 yards earlier than struggling a dislocated proper thumb late within the fourth quarter.
Backup Chad Kelly — the cousin of former Payments star quarterback Jim Kelly — got here off the bench to finish four-of-six passes for 43 yards. But it surely was Kelly’s pivotal 20-yard run on second-and-15 that arrange AJ Ouellette’s game-winning five-yard rush.
Toronto has been affected person with Bethel-Thompson this offseason, giving him loads of time to consider his soccer future. Bethel-Thompson’s departure seems to maneuver Kelly up the depth chart, particularly contemplating veteran CFL starters Trevor Harris (Saskatchewan), Cody Fajardo (Montreal) and Bo Levi Mitchell (Hamilton) have already signed free agent offers.
Veteran Dane Evans could possibly be a risk. However he is at present underneath contract with Hamilton, which means a deal between the 2 CFL rivals must be struck to ensure that Toronto to land Evans.
Bethel-Thompson firmly established himself as Toronto’s starter in 2021, successful seven of 9 begins and main the franchise to a 9-5 document and first place within the East Division. It was the primary time the Argos completed atop the convention since 2017.
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Bethel-Thompson signed a one-year cope with Toronto following the ’21 marketing campaign reasonably than tryout free company. Being the bona-fide starter was a pleasant change for the well-traveled Bethel-Thompson, who has been with seven totally different groups (thrice with the San Francisco 49ers, twice with the Miami Dolphins) spanning three leagues (Area- soccer, NFL and CFL) stretches between 2011 his arrival in Toronto.
Bethel-Thompson leaves the CFL after enjoying 74 profession common season video games. He accomplished 1,125 of 1,683 passes (66.8 p.c) for 13,261 yards with 70 touchdowns, with 49 interceptions whereas dashing 93 occasions for 513 yards (5.5-yard common) and two TDs.
However Bethel-Thompson was rather more than only a soccer survivor. The San Francisco native stays a free spirit and never solely had a approach with phrases, whether or not spoken or written, however typically thought exterior the field when answering questions.
That was the case on Wednesday when Bethel-Thompson mentioned a fond farewell to the CFL.
“Expensive CFL, I got here to you 5 years in the past with the ache of a dream deferred,” he wrote. “I used to be at some extent in my life the place I felt like I had sabotaged my childhood dream by dropping sight of why I performed the sport.
“For five years you examined me, challenged me, beat me, doubted me, cheered me up, healed me, strengthened me, topped me and set me free. By that course of you rejuvenated my sporting soul and I might be without end grateful.”
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“You’re underrated,” he wrote of the Canadian sport. “Your unimaginable variety of contributors is underrated.
“You’ve one of many longest and most storied histories of any sports activities league in North America and guess what your current can also be fairly wonderful. Week in and week out a beautiful and interesting product is on show. It was an honor and a privilege to get to know you.”
Bethel-Thompson additionally paid tribute to everybody related to the Argos and Canada.
“I wish to thank all my teammates, coaches, mentors, associates and colleagues who’ve made my final 5 years magical,” he wrote. “I have been on a number of championship groups and several other groups that could not persistently discover a strategy to win.
“The distinction is inches of play, teamwork, brotherhood, belief and love. Nonetheless, yearly I grew to become a greater particular person and participant. Thanks for chiseling me into my higher self.”
© 2023 The Canadian Press
