Highlighting The Career of MBT
by Pat Rifino
McLeod John Baltazar Bethel-Thompson, a name worthy of his own article, was recently brought back to the Toronto Argonauts on January 30, 2022. MBT as he’s known by many has been with the Argos since 2017 and has made a name for himself as a reliable Quarterback and a fan favorite for many in the CFL. But, MBT’s journey is extremely unique and one that doesn’t get mentioned enough in the realm of professional football.
MBT has played in five professional football leagues and eleven teams over the past ten years. His career began in 2011 through the AFL after not getting much opportunity in college. He only threw 252 passes while at UCLA and Sacramento State and had to begin with the San Jose SaberCats after being undrafted by the NFL. After only throwing forty three passes for the SaberCats, MBT would bounce between his first NFL team the 49ers and get cut, only to find himself back in Sacramento with the United Football League’s Mountain Lions where he would appear in several games throwing seventy two passes, starting two games. Before being signed to the Dolphins Practice Squad.
Upon completing his career in UFL, MBT would go on a journey from 2011 to 2016 that would involve multiple trips around the country and multiple cuts and resigning by the same team over and over again. His resilience and presence would yield multiple contacts to practice squads and active rosters over six seasons.
Stops, with Miami(x2), Minnesota(x2), San Francisco(x3), New England, and Philadelphia have all added unique chapters to MBT’s story. Per Spotrac though he does well for himself financially over parts of six NFL seasons earning $792,322, however over half of that was earned in 2012. Regardless of the financial gains MBT has made in his career while in the NFL he also had the opportunity to be around some strong QB rooms as well.
He’s been in the same room as Tom Brady, Josh McCown, Alex Smith, Jordan Palmer. Chase Daniel and Matt Cassel to name a few. All guys who have been praised for their high football IQ, and professionalism they bring to their franchises. He’s also had the privilege of being around high-caliber coaches like Jim Harbaugh, Bill Belichek, and Doug Pederson as well. All these leaders and mentors that MBT has had over his career have given him an opportunity for a young QB to grow and grind through an extremely difficult career that has been riddled with uncertainty. But eventually despite all the traveling, at the end of camp in 2016 MBT, was released and on to his next adventure.
In 2017 MBT found himself in Brian Woods’ Spring League for it’s inaugural season/showcase. Upon completion of the 2017 season he would be one of thirty nine players invited to a tryout with the New York Jets in which he would remain unsigned and still a free agent. Eventually, a CFL team calls and a young (ish) MBT is given the opportunity to learn from one of the best quarterbacks who has ever graced the CFL. Someone who ironically he shares an alma mater with.
In May of 2017 MBT would join the Toronto Argonauts and join a crowded quarterback room. This room included several recognizable names like CFL legend Ricky Ray, CFL All-Star Cody Fajardo and former Ivy-League stand out Jeff Matthews and the Argos would go on to win the 2017 Grey Cup.
MBT’s role in the Argos would expand in 2018, as Matthews and Fajardo would depart the team. Toronto would acquire former Mizzou Quarterback James Franklin and MBT would be regulated to QB3 on the depth chart. The Argos would lose Ricky Ray in week 2 and after a 2-6 start put up by Franklin, MBT would make his first start in the CFL.however, the Argos would fail to make the playoffs.
2019 would be a career changing year for MBT. He began the season as QB2, as RIcky Ray retired in May. Despite James Franklin entering Week one as the starter, an injury would spring MBT into action. MBT would lead the CFL in touchdowns for 2019 throwing Twenty Six touchdowns in only thirteen starts. After nine seasons as a professional Quarterback, MBT had finally solidified him as a professional.
But as fate would happen, 2020 would throw a monkey wrench into not only MBT’s career but the careers of all CFL players. As he was finally beginning to have some stability in his career, COVID-19 would cancel the 2020 CFL season, leaving hundreds of players and coaches out of work. With nothing but time on his hand MBT would rejoin The Spring League in the 2020/2021 season to remain in shape for NFL and CFL teams. After being released from his contract MBT would resign with the Argos in May 2021.
Despite his past success with the Argos MBT was not “given” the starting job for 2021. He would enter a battle with Nick Arbuckle who for several weeks they would go back and forth before MBT finally secured the starting job. MBT would even earn a CFL All-Star appearance, the first in his career. Most importantly the Argos reached the playoffs, where they unfortunately would be defeated by the Ti-Cats that would not be without some controversy.
Despite all the ups and downs it does seem that MBT now goes into the 2022 season as the starting QB for the Argos. The road to this point in his career is definitely a story worth reading and one I’m not sure enough people know about. Regardless, of what happens in 2022 and beyond it is extremely evident that MBT has manifested a great career that shows people what they can do with a solid work ethic, a bit of resilience, and some luck.
