4/9/07
| A to Z with Wells Thompson |
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Get to know the Revs' top draft pick Wells Thompson - A-Z - in this revolutionsoccer.net feature.
| 2010 Customized Revolution Jerseys |
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A is for Atlantic Beach N.C
Wells’ favorite place to vacation is Atlantic Beach, N.C. A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Wells lived in the south year-round growing up. His family has a house in Atlantic Beach – about five hours from home – and he has spent countless summers on the Carolina coast.
B is for Bermuda
Bermuda is the "coolest place" Wells has visited because of soccer. He and the rest of the Revolution made the trip this February as part of their 2007 preseason training tour. Wells loved the experience – his first traveling experience with the Revs.
C is for Country Music
Wells loves country music and will listen to anything country. From Kenny Chesney to Carrie Underwood, he loves it all.
D is for Dog
One of Well’s most precious possessions is his dog, Timber, a golden retriever that lives with his family at home in Winston-Salem. Playing with Timber always puts him in a good mood and is something he misses about being away from home.
E is for Early-Morning Person
Though Wells admits he has some trouble getting up in the morning, he says that it is his favorite time of the day. "It’s hard for me to get up, but when I get up I really enjoy the morning. I guess just the peace and quiet is nice." Once he’s up he loves the feeling of starting the day off fresh and knowing that he hasn’t wasted it away sleeping.
F is for Farm
Though Wells himself did not grow up on a farm, his mother did, and he loves going to his grandparents’ to visit. "My mom was raised on a farm and that’s where my grandma still lives and we go down there every year." When he’s older, Wells wants to live on a farm and have a big family.
G is for Goofy
Goofy is one of the words Wells’ friends use to describe him. "I try to enjoy life and not take everything so seriously. I kind of add a little humor to life and mix things up a little bit. I guess in doing so, I do things sometimes that are a little awkward."
 H is for Hunting
Wells loves hunting and fishing, passions both he and veteran teammate Steve Ralston share. Wells says that North Carolina serves as a perfect spot to cater to both activities and is looking forward to finding similar spots in New England.
I is for Ice Hockey
While Wells played several sports growing up, ice hockey was second only to soccer. One wouldn’t think it would be a popular sport in North Carolina, Wells says it is big down there, and that it is the one other sport he wishes he could play professionally. "Our city was pretty good. All my friends were getting into it so we all kind of got into it together. It was decently big; you wouldn’t think it would be big but it was."
J is for Junk Food
Wells has admitted to loving all kinds of junk food – candy being his favorite. It’s the one thing no one really knows how much he likes, and he admits he couldn’t go a month without it. "I’d have to say sour gummy worms are my favorite, but I like every kind of junk food. Ice cream, chocolate … everything."
K is for Kaká
Kaká, the AC Milan midfielder and Brazil Men’s National Team member, is Wells’ favorite soccer player. "People have told me I play like him and I kind of look like him a little bit. I guess through that I started liking him and following him."
L is for Lion
Wells’ credits the lion as being his favorite animal at the zoo. Why? "Because he’s the biggest and the meanest and the baddest." Duh!
M is for Marina Dockhand
Wells used to work as a marina dockhand during the summer while his family stayed in Atlanta Beach, N.C. "I grew up going out there in the summer and I needed to get a job and make a little money so I found work as a dockhand. It wasn’t bad."
N is for Nickname
Wells’ nickname is Sunshine. "My mom used to call me Sunshine when I was a little kid. I’m always smiling so I guess that’s also why people call me Sunshine. I’m a happy guy."
O is for Owen Wilson
Wells’ favorite actor is Owen Wilson. While some might say that the two look similar with their shaggy dirty blonde hair, Wells admits that Wilson would be a great fit to play him in when they make a film about the story of his life.
P is for Philippians 4:13
Wells’ favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13: "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Wells says, "I guess you can say I’ve had some rough times in my life growing up. I guess it just kind of reminds me that the Lord will be with me no matter what." Over his life Wells has turned to God for strength and guidance and continues to now as a professional athlete.
Q is for Quick
Wells is one of the quickest members of the Revolution. In practice he darts from point A to B with lighting speed, often times leaving his defenders in the dust.
R is for Remember the Titans
Remember the Titans is Wells’ favorite sports movie. He says it’s really inspirational and, as an athlete, appreciates the encouraging messages it sends.
S is for Southern Cooking
Being a Southern boy, Wells absolutely loves Southern cooking. "My favorite dish is my mom’s spaghetti with sweet potatoes, green beans and corn bread. I can never get enough of it."
T is for Thomas Wells Thompson
Wells’ full name is Thomas Wells Thompson. "I was always called Wells when I was younger. It’s a family name so I think my parents had the intention of calling me Wells. Plus Thomas Thompson sounds a little different."
U is for Ultimate
Wells says his ultimate career goal is playing for the U.S. Men’s National Team. He believes it would be amazing to represent his country and that it is one of the highest honors a player can attain. With five members of the U.S. National Team on the Revs, Wells will have ample opportunity to learn from the best.
V is for Video Games
The Revolution players all seem to have a love for video games. Wells says his favorite is Tiger Woods Golf for PlayStation 2.
W is for Wake Forest
Wells attended Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina – his hometown – and majored in political science. While there, he helped Wake Forest advance to the NCAA College Cup for the first time in school history in 2006, earned ACC All-Tournament honors as a senior and was also an ACC All-Freshman selection in 2003. He finished his four-year career with 16 goals, including 14 in his junior and senior seasons combined.
X is for Xciting
From his time in college to now being a member of a professional soccer team, Wells has experienced his fair share of excitement. "So much of the past few months have been really exciting for me. Hearing my name called out at the Draft was amazing."
Y is for Young and Successful
At age 23, Wells was the highest-drafted soccer player out of Wake Forest in program history, and the fourth-highest drafted student-athlete in Demon Deacon Athletics history behind basketball's Tim Duncan (No. 1 in the 1997 NBA draft) and Chris Paul (No. 4 in the 2005 NBA draft) and baseball's Kyle Sleeth (No. 3 in the 2003 MLB draft).
Z is for Zany soccer game
One of Wells’ favorite games to play with the soccer ball is Monkey in the Middle. "We get a big group together, two guys on the inside and everyone else in a big circle around them. We play one-touch and try to keep the ball away from the two monkeys running around in the middle. It gets to be pretty funny."
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