Tigers’ Thomas plays with extra motivation
La’andre Thomas’ Twitter feed usually features three things he cares about most: football highlights, the words of Pastor Joel Osteen and self-encouragement.
While opting out of last season for Memphis football, Thomas often retweeted Osteen, posted workout clips and offered his own advice. It continued when he returned in the spring and the same is true at preseason practice.
“If you keep lining up and showing up no matter what happens somethings (sic) good always happens,” Thomas posted Monday.
“Don’t matter what happened if you are still breathing you still can win!! Press on,” he said on Aug. 9.
The messages seemed personal, but
Thomas, a junior, said his posts are meant to uplift others as well.
“I know I’m not the only person going through things or the only one that’s in this life, so I just try to share some of my motivation and try to put that out in the atmosphere,” Thomas said.
One thing he didn’t post was an announcement of his departure before
last season. Coach Ryan Silverfield said Thomas took a leave of absence during the COVID-19 pandemic before returning this spring to play cornerback.
Thomas, the only Tigers player who returned after opting out last season, declined to say why he left. He only noted it was a difficult decision that he felt was best for him.
“It was kind of hard, but the thing about it is, I think I got a chance to see the game from the outside. I think I got a lot better mentally,” he said. “I got a chance to really heal my body, work some kinks out and really get my body how I needed it for the season.”
He also kept himself in shape through workouts that he'd share on social media. It didn't make it easier learning defensive coordinator Mike Macintyre's scheme, but he showed enough for Macintyre and defensive backs coach Charles Clark to try him out at cornerback.
With Quindell Johnson, Sanchez Blake and Rodney Owens fixed at safety, it also made sense moving Thomas to another position.
“He's a guy that has a lot of upside and a lot of ability and athleticism,” Clark said. “The one thing about him is he's played all over the place, so it's just trying to figure out what he can do best.”
Thomas is no stranger to that. He moved from quarterback to cornerback in 2017 because of injuries in the secondary. He moved to safety in 2018, and the following year he was fourth on the team with 63 tackles.
Even at safety, Thomas kept an eye on what the cornerbacks did. Now it has helped him return to the position four years later.
If any worries creep in, he'll turn to his timeline to speak them away. But Thomas doesn't just want to inspire himself this season; he wants to inspire others.
“Somebody can come across it and find some motivation,” Thomas said. “I feel like that's what I'm here for.”