(Thursday, Dec. 22) – A world record will be broken on Saturday, Jan. 7 when the Georgia Swarm and Saskatchewan Rush of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) face off in their season openers at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Field at Infinite Energy Arena. Gametime is set for 7:05 p.m.
For the first time ever in a professional lacrosse game (Guinness World Records application has been submitted), four siblings will all compete in the same game when the “Thompson Brothers” hit the floor. Lyle, Miles and Jerome from the Swarm will square off against their oldest brother, Jeremy, and the two-time defending champion Rush.
“Having four incredibly talented siblings and world class lacrosse athletes play in our League is a rare feat, and a testament to their athletic skill and passion for box lacrosse,” said Nick Sakiewicz, Commissioner of the National Lacrosse League. “The Swarm and Rush going head-to-head will be an intense, action-packed and thrilling game of brother vs. brother. It’s a truly a historic moment – for the sport, the League, and the Thompson Brothers. This is a once in a lifetime and cannot miss event.”
“This is an event you can’t see everyday,” said Andy Arlotta, Co-Owner and President for the Swarm. “The metro Atlanta area will have the opportunity to witness a truly unique sporting event where four brothers will all be playing in the same game at the highest level of lacrosse. This is so special that we have applied for a record in the Guinness World Records and to commemorate this event, we have built a special ticket and t-shirt package for fans to come be a part of this. Whether you know the sport or not, we want the Atlanta community to be in attendance for this record-setting evening.”
In celebration of this historic event, the Swarm has put together a “Thompson Brothers 4-Pack” ticket package. Fans who purchase the package and use the PROMO CODE: TSHIRT at GeorgiaSwarm.com/HomeOpener or by calling 844-4-GASWARM will receive (4) Lower Level Tickets and (4) Commemorative T-Shirts.
Select fans that purchase will also have the chance to win VIP experiences during the game such as a pre-game photo with all four Thompson Brothers at centerfield, Thompson Brothers/Swarm apparel and autographed Lyle Thompson Bobble-Braids. Following the game, the entire Swarm team along with the Thompson Brothers will be available on the turf for autographs and photos. Fans outside of the metro Atlanta area can catch the game LIVE via NLLTV.com.
The Thompson Brothers, who are four of the most popular lacrosse athletes on the planet, proudly showcase their Native American heritage (Onondaga Nation) with their patented ponytails, and are NIKE endorsed athletes as well as have their own NIKE Lacrosse product line. The brothers along with their cousin, Bill O’Brien, have also started their own company, Thompson Brothers Lacrosse, where they travel the country to host grassroots camps and clinics in an effort to grow the game as well as teach young players about the Native American heritage of the sport.
The Thompson Brothers have been featured on ESPN, CBS News and in The New York Times and New York Daily News. Known to “wow” crowds with their electrifying abilities and chemistry, the Thompson Brothers have routinely been featured on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays for their acrobatic no-look, behind-the-back goals and passes.
Swarm forwards Lyle Thompson (‘15 No. 1 overall pick) and Miles Thompson (‘14 No. 3 overall pick) have quickly become two of the NLL’s premier scoring forwards in the NLL thus far in their young careers. Prior to joining the NLL, Lyle and Miles shattered NCAA DI scoring records during their collegiate playing days at UAlbany. Lyle holds the NCAA DI record for all-time career points (400), assists (225) and the single-season points mark at 128 – his 121 points ‘15 rank second all-time. Miles matched an NCAA DI record with 82 goals in ‘14 and his 119-point campaign in ‘14 ranks third all-time, only behind his younger brother, Lyle.
“I’m pretty excited for the first game going up against Jeremy and Saskatchewan,” said Lyle Thompson. “It’s pretty cool that I get the opportunity to be on the same floor as all my brothers, all people who I’ve always looked up to and who have taught me a lot. The whole family is coming down; my father is renting a 14 passenger van and making the drive so everyone is excited for our home opener down in Georgia and it makes it that much more special that all four of us are playing.”
Lyle and Miles became the first Native Americans to win the prestigious Tewaaraton Trophy (lacrosse equivalent of football’s Heisman Trophy) when they were co-recipients of the award during the ‘14 season – Lyle went on to win the award again in ‘15 and became the first back-to-back male recipient of the award.
Jerome Thompson joined his younger brothers, Lyle and Miles, on the Georgia Swarm at the midway point of the ‘16 NLL season when he was acquired in a trade from the Buffalo Bandits. The only lefty amongst the group, Jerome posted a solid rookie campaign in ‘15 with the Bandits, which was highlighted by a four-goal outburst against the Swarm that season. Jerome was a two-time National Champion and National Player of the Year (’09) in junior college at Onondaga C.C.
Jeremy Thompson, the oldest brother of the four, has spent five seasons in the NLL, and is one of the league’s most lethal transition players; he also consistently ranks near the top of the league in faceoff wins. Jeremy was a finalist for the ‘16 Transition Player of the Year Award and was named to the ’16 All-Pro Second Team. Jeremy has been a crucial piece to the Rush’s two Champion’s Cups in 2015-16 and played collegiately at Syracuse University.
“Well it’s always quite the accomplishment when you get to play at the highest level of lacrosse and to be playing against the brothers makes it that much more meaningful,” said Jeremy Thompson. “It’s not every sports season you get to see a group of brothers playing amongst or against each other at a high level of lacrosse. I know my brothers are playing for the same reasons as me and that makes this a very special event.”
About the National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America’s premier professional indoor lacrosse league. Founded in 1986, the NLL ranks third in average attendance for pro indoor sports worldwide, behind only the NHL and NBA. The League is comprised of nine franchises across the United States and Canada: Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Georgia Swarm, New England Black Wolves, Rochester Knighthawks, Saskatchewan Rush, Toronto Rock and Vancouver Stealth. The 2017 NLL regular season, commemorating the League’s 31st year, opens on Thursday, December 29 when the Rochester Knighthawks take on the Toronto Rock at Blue Cross Arena. For more information, visit NLL.com and find the NLL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.