07/02/2026
Congratulations to Lyle Thompson on his well-deserved induction into the Native American Hall of Fame, a fitting honor for one of the greatest to ever play the game.
🏆 2× Tewaaraton Award Winner (2014, 2015)
* First Native American player to win the award.
* Shared the 2014 award with brother Miles—the
only time the award has ever been shared.
* 🏆 2017 National Lacrosse League MVP
* 🏆 2017 NLL Champion with the Georgia Swarm
* 🏆 2017 NLL Championship MVP
* 🏆 2022 PLL Attackman of the Year
* 🏆 MLL MVP
* 🌎 Multiple All-World Team selections
* 🥉 Three-time World Lacrosse Championship bronze medalist (2014, 2018, 2023)
* 🥈 Medalist at multiple World Box Lacrosse Championships, including silver medals in 2015 and 2019.
Lyle Thompson, a citizen of the Onondaga Nation and a member of the Hawk Clan, will be inducted into the National Native American Hall of Fame as part of its 2026 class, recognizing a career that has transformed the sport of lacrosse while inspiring Indigenous communities across North America.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest lacrosse players of all time, Thompson made history at the University at Albany by becoming the first men’s player to win the Tewaaraton Award in consecutive seasons (2014 and 2015). Alongside his brother Miles Thompson, he also became one of the first Native American players to receive the sport’s highest individual honor. Throughout his professional career, Thompson has earned MVP awards in both field and box lacrosse while setting new standards for excellence on the game’s biggest stages.
For Thompson, however, lacrosse has always meant more than championships. Among the Haudenosaunee, the game is known as The Creator’s Game—a sacred tradition played for healing, gratitude, and community. Thompson has consistently used his platform to educate people about the Indigenous origins of lacrosse while proudly representing the Onondaga Nation around the world.
Off the field, he and his brothers co-founded the 4 The Future Foundation, which supports Indigenous and underserved youth through sports, education, and leadership opportunities. His commitment to giving back has made him a role model far beyond athletics.
The National Native American Hall of Fame will formally honor Thompson during its induction ceremony on November 21, 2026, at the OKANA Resort & Hotel in Oklahoma City.
Lyle Thompson’s legacy is measured not only by the records he has broken, but by the generations of Indigenous youth he continues to inspire through the game their ancestors gave to the world.
What is your favorite Lyle Thompson moment on or off the field? 🥍🪶
Sources:
• National Native American Hall of Fame – 2026 Inductee Announcement
• National Lacrosse Hall of Fame – Lyle Thompson biography
• University at Albany Athletics – Lyle Thompson profile and Tewaaraton Awards
Premier Lacrosse League – Player biography
• 4 The Future Foundation – Official website
