Andrew Thomas ran through the house screaming for joy on Christmas morning.
What other reaction would a puzzled preteen boy have to unwrap a brand new PlayStation 3?
“Christmas wasn’t always about the gifts for us, but we were lucky to have our family,” said Thomas. “I grew up in a two-parent family, and my grandmother used to cook for every big vacation. There were a few Christmas days for which we might not have any presents, but when I was 12 or 13 I wasn’t expecting much, and somehow my parents gave me the PS3. “
A decade later, Thomas’ virtual likeness is part of one of the most popular video games – like the $ 32 million newcomer to the Giants in “Madden NFL 21” – and he is the one who created Christmas memories for kids.
From afar, and with the help of his parents and local businesses, Thomas teamed up with his hometown mayor and local businesses on a ride that gave away 50 turkeys and delivered wish-list gifts for five selected families affected by the pandemic. Lithonia, Georgia. .
“We put together a few bags to make people feel a little better at this time,” said Thomas. “I want to help my community the best I can – not just pass it on, but I think about planning things around managing money and paying your bills. Having this contract to help others is a great thing. “
Thomas recreated his childhood Christmas days by flying into his parents, sister and girlfriend to fill his new home with the scent of soul food after Friday’s Giants workout. In this most unusual season, he had all visitors tested and cleared for COVID-19 at the team facility to make sure he will be on the field on Sunday when the Giants visit the Ravens.
Points can be difficult for the Giants to obtain.
“Their defensive front is insane – they rotate a lot of good players there,” said Thomas. “Some big, strong two-gappers up front who let their linebackers make a lot of plays and rushers who come in in passing situations.”
Thomas’ rookie season was a rollercoaster: an encouraging debut, a nightmarish next six games, and a five-game trajectory turning a corner. Or so it seemed.
The past two games have been a veritable microcosm: Thomas was flogged by the relatively unknown Haason Reddick for an NFL-high seven tensions and two sacks in Week 14 – only to recover by quietly going unnoticed against fierce pass-rusher Myles Garrett. How does that make sense?
“It’s a mindset issue,” said Thomas. “You understand that you have to be prepared every week. You can’t think someone in the NFL is incapable of doing their job because they are the best at it. Once a game is over, that’s a thing of the past. There were a few things I put on tape [against Garrett] I was proud of it, but there were plays that I have to work on, and I’m taking them into next week. “
The Giants’ line of attack was in a tough spot two weeks ago because Daniel Jones was a seated duck playing on two leg injuries. Jones’ mobility looked better in practice this week, leaving Thomas with a wider margin of error to protect the blind side. He’s likely on heavy doses of six-fold Pro Bowler Calais Campbell and Pernell McPhee, with team leader Matthew Judon on the other.
If anyone forgives Thomas’s ups and downs, it’s Jones, who experienced them as a rookie last season.
“I’m really impressed with how he handled it,” said Jones. “That’s a tough position to get in and play in the NFL. You compete against many of the best athletes on the field in those pass rushers. His learning has been one that he really attacked. His approach has been the same every day. I think he’s going to be a great player. “
In keeping with the NFL tradition of quarterbacks rewarding their offensive linemen at Christmas, Jones each ordered a Pac-Man the size of an arcade. More video games to thrill Thomas, who skipped running around this time to conserve his energy to make Jones’s life easier on Sunday.
“I wouldn’t say it costs extra,” said Thomas. ‘If he gets hurt, that’s what you worry about. But even when he’s 100 percent, we don’t want anyone to touch the quarterback. “