Michael J. Thompson (July 22, 1877 – May 31, 1939) ^[1] was once dean of American football officials, as well as a baseball umpire. ^[2] He famously officiated the 1903 Carlisle- Harvard football game.

He also coached, at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, and at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. ^{[3] [4]} In Emmitsburg, he was later a burgess. He died unexpectedly on May 31, 1939. ^[5]

Thompson was born on July 22, 1877, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to Owen Thompson and Anna Mary nee Collins. ^{[6] [7]} He attended the College of the Holy Cross, where he helped organize the football team. Thompson was a graduate of Georgetown University in Washington D. C., where he was the first graduate manager of athletics in 1901. ^[8]