Thomas: No regrets over center finger at Carroll
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens security Earl Thomas stands by flipping the center finger to Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll 10 months in the past.
“I do not remorse my choice,” Thomas instructed ESPN’s Josina Anderson. “If my teammates felt prefer it was towards them, I remorse that half. However I do not remorse doing that to Pete.”
Thomas, who’s in his first season with Baltimore, was carted off the sphere together with his leg in an air solid final September, when he went down with what could be a damaged decrease leg requiring surgical procedure within the second half of a win in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals. He gave the center finger within the path of Seattle’s sideline as a result of he did not really feel like Carroll was being real when he confirmed concern for him on the sphere after the damage.
This units up an emotional reunion for Thomas, who will face the Seahawks in Seattle on Oct. 20. Thomas stated he hasn’t spoken to Carroll for the reason that incident.
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“I gave Pete the center finger as a result of I felt like he wasn’t being trustworthy with me,” Thomas stated.
When Thomas took warmth for the gesture final season, Carroll stated folks want to chop him “a little bit slack.”
“Individuals which can be criticizing no matter occurred do not perceive,” Carroll stated. “This was an earth-shattering second for a child. He is attempting to play this recreation he loves and this occurs once more. He knew precisely what occurred to him, so he went proper to what it’ll take to get again.”
Thomas was the most effective defensive backs in Seahawks historical past. He made six Professional Bowls in his 9 seasons with the Seahawks and was named first-team All-Professional 3 times.
His 28 profession interceptions rank third amongst all gamers since 2010, when he was drafted by Seattle with the 14th total pick of Texas.
Thomas left the Seahawks in free company, signing a four-year, $55 million contract with the Ravens in March.
“I believe my time simply ran out,” Thomas stated. “Pete and the entrance workplace did not worth me like they used to and I simply talked to Coach Carroll and he was saying how he was attempting to get me within the plans of getting a brand new contract. However I bought harm the subsequent week. I believe I harm myself too by my actions getting carted off the sphere.”
Thomas received a Tremendous Bowl with Seattle in February 2014 and signed a four-year, $40 million contract extension with the Seahawks a couple of months later.
However his relationship soured during the last yr. Thomas had a contract dispute with Seattle that led him to skip all offseason actions, coaching camp and preseason final season.
Thomas stated he did not see eye-to-eye with Carroll over many points, together with work ethic.
“We bought to stroll with one another the remainder of our lives as a result of we received a Tremendous Bowl collectively,” Thomas stated. “However they’re going to love you one minute after which hate you the subsequent. That was our relationship.”