Chase Thomas has barely started his pursuit of a pro football career, and he’s already on his third NFL team.
The Saints signed Thomas, a former Walton High standout who played at Stanford, after he wasn’t selected in the draft in April. The Raiders claimed him off waivers when the Saints released him, and then Oakland later cut him. Finally, the Falcons signed Thomas to their practice squad this week as injuries forced a reshuffling of their roster.
Thomas was at Stanford working out when he got the call from the Falcons on Monday morning. He was one of four linebackers to work out for the team Tuesday. Thomas, a Marietta native, isn’t quite on an NFL roster, but he’s glad to be close to home again.
“It’s been a while, so it’s nice,” he said. “My parents don’t have to fly 3,000 miles to see me.”
Thomas was very productive at Stanford, where he compiled 27.5 sacks and 50.5 tackles for loss in three-plus seasons as a starter and earned All-American honors as a junior. He was a teammate of Falcons rookie tight end Levine Toilolo, the team’s fourth-round pick.
We asked Thomas a series of questions about his life, interests and hobbies. Here are his answers (edited for clarity and flow).
Q: What was your first job?
A: I worked in a warehouse with vending-machine trucks. We just restocked the trucks for the guys driving them. It was good. We just pushed the carts around, fill up with whatever they needed. Fill up the cart, bring it over, put it in the truck. It was good work. I was in high school.
Q: What was your first car?
A: A 2000 Oldsmobile Alero. Red, four-door in high school. My brother took it over, and he drove it apart. They pretty much got rid of that one.
Q: What is your favorite television show?
A: "Game of Thrones" (on HBO). I read the books, at least the first couple ones, so it was good to put like faces to the names. They skip some stuff (from the book), but they kind of have to. But, pretty much overall, it's the same.
Q: What is your favorite meal?
A: My dad's barbecue ribs. Haven't had those yet (since returning). Looking forward to it.
Q: What is your most prized possession?
A: Probably my car now, which is an Acura TL.
Q: Any place you want to visit that you haven’t been?
A: I want to go to Australia. I like that type of place with the beach, the ocean. And I hear everybody is really nice down there. It's just always been something I want to do.
Q: If they made a movie about your life, who plays you?
A: I'd say Leo (Leonardo DiCaprio). Might as well go with the best. I like his movies. He's always pretty good.
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