With the 2020 NFL season going on, Terry Thompson used his phone to place a bet on the FanDuel Sportsbook app that involved the Philadelphia Eagles, his favorite team in the NFL.
That wager was the first time ever that Thompson gambled using an app, and not long after, he began putting down microbets — in-game wagers that are as simple as betting on the next play. (RELATED: ‘I’ve Realized That Time Has Come’: Tigers’ Justin Verlander Announces He Will Be Retiring Following 2026 Season)
Thompson became addicted to how he can be financially involved with every single play in every single game. With FanDuel, Thompson ultimately bet a total of $18.5 million, which landed him VIP status. As a result, he got exclusive perks such as Super Bowl tickets and champagne, which gave him a sense of importance and encouraged him to continue to gamble.
By the end of Nov. 2024, Thompson took major losses and exercised desperate measures in order to pay for his gambling addiction. During one afternoon, however, he opened his phone and was given a reward from FanDuel that provided a distraction from his money woes: a personalized video message. And it came from Philadelphia Phillies icon Bryce Harper.
Terry Thompson lost $1.5 million on bets he placed with FanDuel.
The company gave him VIP treatment — including a personalized video message from the Phillies’ Bryce Harper. pic.twitter.com/YxTan16FH0
— Philadelphia Inquirer Sports (@phillysport) July 9, 2026
The 21-second video was obtained by The Philadelphia Inquirer. In the clip, Harper speaks to Thompson using his name and he even brings up the young son of Thompson. The video ends with Harper thanking Thompson for being a fan.
Harper isn’t wearing any merchandise from FanDuel, however, the clip does feature the logo of the company. Harper also mentioned that he was contacting Thompson per a request from his VIP manager, “your host Bryttanni at FanDuel,” wanting to guarantee that Thompson’s Thanksgiving was “extra special.”
There isn’t any evidence that Harper and FanDuel have any kind of partnership, nor if Harper knew that Thompson is a gambling addict.
The Philadelphia Inquirer didn’t find any other situations that involve active athletes sending personal video messages to sportsbook VIP customers.