Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: Sports

By Patrick Dorsey
The Daily Northwestern

Kim Thompson limped off the practice field Saturday, then spoke about his battles with adversity during his four years at Northwestern.

"You take your lumps playing this game," the wide receiver said. "You definitely take your lumps."

And how. Turns out that limp was from a broken leg, which will keep Thompson out of the rest of spring practice.

Thompson was unavailable for comment Tuesday, but an NU spokesman said the fracture is not severe, meaning Thompson should be back in time for August camp in Kenosha, Wis.

But it'll be yet another fight for the senior who has missed time due to injuries, a suspension and a leave of absence - and who now is taking advantage not of his second chance with the team, but his third.

"(Just because) you make a mistake," coach Pat Fitzgerald said, "I'm not going to turn my back on a guy."

Long the philosophy at NU, few recent players have needed this treatment more than Thompson.

After a mildly productive redshirt freshman season, the 6-foot-4 speed receiver seemed poised for a breakout in 2005. Right away, he didn't disappoint, catching five passes for 99 yards in the Wildcats' season-opening win over Ohio.

A broken finger sustained in practice the following week slowed his season - until he caught a career-long, 52-yard touchdown pass in NU's fifth game, against Wisconsin.

But it wouldn't get much better. Thompson was suspended for the Cats' final two games, including the Sun Bowl. NU explained it as a "violation of departmental policy."

Thompson called it "a little legal trouble," but declined to elaborate.

A second chance allowed him back in 2006, but Thompson missed the first four games with a broken foot. Then, after three unproductive weeks and what Thompson called academic issues, the receiver and the coaching staff agreed a leave of absence was necessary.

But only a temporary one.

Continued...

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