By Jim Gehman, Player Engagement Insider
Michael Thomas could not have made a much better first impression.
Claimed by the Miami Dolphins off of the San Francisco 49ers practice squad with three games remaining in the 2013 regular season, Thomas, a safety, was with his new team for just five days before being put on the field as a nickelback with seconds left in a game against the division rival New England Patriots.
In what was his first NFL game, Thomas collected his first interception when he snared a pass off of future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady to secure a 24-20 victory for the Dolphins.
Thomas, who would become a leader on the special teams unit, moved into Miami’s starting lineup in week four of the 2015 season after an injury sidelined free safety Louis Delmas. He’d remain there the rest of the year.
“Ever since you start playing football, if you’re not the starter you’ve always been taught to have that next-guy-up mindset,” Thomas said. “My philosophy since I entered the league was to prepare for my opportunity. I started off on the practice squad pretty much my first two years in the league and instead of being written off, I went in every day and prepared myself. Even if I never got the opportunity, I would always be ready.”
Three seasons later, Thomas is ready and still impressive. On and off the field.
He has enhanced his leadership role with the Dolphins by becoming their NFLPA (NFL Players Association) player representative.
“Everything that the union does, I definitely want to be a part of it and see how I can help send that message to the players,” Thomas said. “Not just in our locker room, but the players that are about to enter the league.
“I feel good about helping players in regards to getting their benefits, giving knowledge. Why are we paying our union dues? Where does that money go? What is it being used for? I’ve seen guys in the locker room have those type of questions. And so to be able to learn from our reps and our NFLPA president and relay those messages back to the guys that I represent on our team, it’s a big responsibility, but I love it.”
In addition to taking on the responsibility of helping his teammates, Thomas has also taken on the responsibility of helping himself and securing his future. After meeting with Dolphins Director of Player Engagement Kaleb Thornhill, Thomas, a sociology major at Stanford, chose to enroll in the University of Miami’s Executive MBA for Artists and Athletes.
“A bunch of guys, especially when they get to the NFL, they’re like, ‘Whew! Thank God I’m done with school.’ And I was one of those guys,” Thomas said. “But as I started focusing more on the business side of football, I realized there’s some stuff that I could use some training in.
“The decision came for me to actually get my MBA because the NFL has a program where players can gain their MBA while they’re still playing. It’s all online classes and I would never have to actually be in class while football was going on. It’s a unique opportunity. I’m glad I’m taking advantage of it.”
Learning how to become an entrepreneur is only one option Thomas will have in front of him following his playing days.
“With my skill set, I’ve talked to the (president and) CEO of the Dolphins, Tom Garfinkel, and he said I’d probably be the best student and be a CEO of a company or a GM of a football team if I wanted to stay in sports,” Thomas said. “So right now I’m just trying to gain basic knowledge to be able to run a business, be a more effective manager of any business.”
Thomas plans to encourage his teammates to be effective managers as well.
“Yes, even if it’s not actually going to class and getting an MBA, learn about any business that you’re getting involved in,” Thomas said. “You have to think most NFL guys, they’re already making executive type decisions without training. By continuing to learn and by going to the different classes the NFL has to offer, you’ll at least be able to be at the table, be at those business meetings and understand at a higher level of what’s actually going on instead of just putting all your trust in someone else to do it for you.”
Away from the gridiron and hitting the books, Thomas spends time with several charitable organizations including The First Step Program in Ft. Pierce, Florida which was founded by Scott Van Duzer.
“It’s a program designed to help underprivileged kids by aligning mentors with kids that might not have those figures in their life presently, and allow them to have that type of interaction on a weekly basis,” Thomas said. “The cops in the area, fire fighters, public figures, they are coming into this community and showing the kids regardless of your situation, regardless of what’s going on around you, you can do positive things. It’s okay to dream and set goals and work toward them.”
After beginning the program in an abandoned park, the city has earmarked funds to rejuvenate the park and name it after First Step. Thomas appreciates having the opportunity to meet with, and bring hope to, the kids who live in the neighborhood.
“They were just so full of energy,” said Thomas, who was presented with a key to the city by Ft. Pierce mayor Greg Oraveca. “Just seeing the smiles on their faces and how excited they were to see me, it was heartwarming. They had innocent questions. They would ask anything ranging from how much money did I make? What made me work so hard to try to get to the NFL? One kid, he even asked me, ‘How do you get an education?’ I feel great to give back and try to help them better themselves.”
The whole community is getting better. Since First Step took its first steps, the area’s crime rate has dropped significantly.
“To be a part of that, that’s huge,” said Thomas. “It makes you feel like you’re a part of something bigger than yourself. It’s a great feeling.”