New Orleans Saints’ Michael Thomas is on his way to becoming the best ever wide receiver in the National Football league (NFL) as the numbers already suggest. Along with the abilities that come naturally, Thomas is known for his excellent work ethic and drive as well as his extreme humility in public and willingness to learn from others.
It is, however, a different story outside the limelight as the 2016 Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team member also has extreme confidence in his abilities. This can be seen through his self-given nickname “Can’t Guard Mike” which has led to some other players label him as “arrogant.”
Michael Thomas’ Bio
Thomas was born Michael William Thomas Jr. on the 3rd of March, 1993 in Los Angeles, California. As a child, he was said to not have taken sports seriously, which was a surprise not just because he has family who has played professional football but because it was the dream of every other kid to make it to the big leagues.
The mindset however changed in his junior high school year when Thomas was enrolled into Taft Charter High School in Woodland Hills, California. At this time, the young boy had fully grown to a height of above 6 feet and this prompted his school coaches to recruit him to the team to use him as a specialist for Hail Mary game plays. Thomas later learned how to run routes, gained weight and became a star player for his team in his senior year. He went on to record 86 receptions for 1,656 yards (the highest tally in the state) and 21 touchdowns. His stats immediately put colleges on high alert as scholarship offers began to flood in from schools like Washington, Miami, Oregon State and Syracuse.
Michael Thomas, however, wanted to stay in the sunshine state and had his eyes on either the University of Southern California (USC) or University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). So when none of those schools offered him a scholarship, he chose to attend Fork Union Military Academy for a year in order to continue his football development. He was notably roommates with future NFL star, Cardale Jones.
During his time at Fork Union, Thomas said he became desperate to play college football so when an offer from Ohio State came along, he took it immediately. As a true freshman, he played in 11 games but managed only 3 receptions for 22 yards. This led to him redshirting his sophomore year because he was not good enough. The disappointment of not playing that season was what fired him up to make a come back to the team and become a starter, recording 54 receptions for 799 yards and nine touchdowns in 2014. He further helped his team to the College Football Playoff National Championship and Big Ten Championship that year.
In his senior year, he recorded 56 receptions for 781 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns before announcing his decision to enter the league.
NFL Career
Michael Thomas was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the 47th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints. The Saints’ wide receivers coach, John Morton, was said to have taken the decision to pick Thomas after he regrettably missed out on him when he was the offensive coordinator at USC. Thomas was said to have left an impression on scouts and coaches with his performance in practice although some people were skeptic he could replicate those efforts on the field.
After putting pen to paper on a four-year $5.11 million contract which came with a signing bonus of $1.92 million, the Saints named their new man as a starter for their season-opening game against the Oakland Raiders. Thomas didn’t disappoint as he finished the game with 6 receptions for 58 yards. He got his first touchdown in week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons and his first over a hundred receiving yards game in week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Overall, Michael Thomas managed 92 receptions for 1,137 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns which were all franchise records for a rookie.
His second season in the league showed progression as he was named to his first Pro Bowl. He managed 104 receptions for 1,245 yards and five touchdowns all through the season to enshrine himself among the greats as he has the most receptions in history by a player in their first two NFL seasons
Michael Thomas Family – Wife
Micheal Thomas is the nephew of former American football player and winner of Super Bowl XXXVII, Keyshawn Johnson. The former No 1 overall draft pick who has also worked as a television broadcaster for ESPN, has been instrumental in his nephew’s career. Along with Thomas’ father, Michael Thomas Sr., he has always been by the young man’s side whenever he needs advice or has a decision to make.
Thomas is not married and has no girlfriend that is known publicly to report about. Maybe he is taking his time to build his career first or his sexual orientation is the issue. Moore on that when we get accurate information.
Height, Weight
Michael Thomas came into the NFL with a height of 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and a weight of 212 lbs (96 kg). The player, who is now amongst the league’s best wide receivers, is now reported to weigh around 220 lbs (99 kg) as he looks to be an even more physical player on his journey to the Hall of Fame.
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