Thomas

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

Thomas loves the emotional part of football. He feels happier on the field than anywhere else. Thomas loves the excitement and pressure of each game as well as the bonds he has formed with his teammates. He feels like nothing in the world could top the feeling he gets when the game starts down to the last play. He puts everything into every play and encourages his teammates when he’s off the field. He makes sure no one gives up and he feels like his ADD doesn’t hinder him from succeeding.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

There are a few people who inspire Thomas. He is very inspired by the Ravens running back Ray Lewis. He loves his mentality and the way he plays. Thomas would love to be like him someday. As far as who inspires him that he knows personally, it would be his coach/trainer Jim Bennett. Thomas says Jimmy taught him everything he knows about playing football. He helped Thomas understand the game, Thomas’s strengths, encouraged him, and helped him with his ADD, focus problems and doing well in school.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

I was proudest when Thomas caught a superbowl winning catch at a young age when he really didn’t understand the game. He saw the ball coming towards him so he reached up and caught it. I’m not proud because the game was won, I’m proud because that was the day things finally clicked and he felt good about it. He has a lot of focusing problems but that day he worked hard for his teammates, understood the game better and gained self confidence.