Andrew Thomas ran around the house screaming with joy on Christmas morning.
What other reaction would a surprised preteen boy have when unwrapping a new PlayStation 3?
“Christmas for us was not always about gifts, but we were lucky to have our family,” said Thomas. “I grew up in a house with two parents, and my grandmother cooked for every big holiday. On some Christmases we may not give gifts, but when I was 12 or 13, I didn’t expect much and, somehow, my parents gave me the PS3. “
A decade later, Thomas’s virtual likeness is part of one of the most popular video games – like the $ 32 million rookie from the Giants at the end of the “Madden NFL 21” game – and he is the creator of children’s Christmas memories.
From a distance, and with the help of his parents and local businesses, Thomas partnered with the mayor of his hometown and local businesses in a campaign that distributed 50 turkeys and offered wishlist gifts to five selected families affected by the pandemic in Lithonia , Georgia.
“We put some bags together to make people feel a little better during that time,” said Thomas. “I want to help my community as much as I can – not just donating, but I’m thinking about planning things around how to manage money and pay your bills. Having this contract to help others is very important. “
Thomas recreated his childhood Christmases by taking his parents, sister and girlfriend to fill his new home with the scent of soul food after the Giants’ training on Friday. In this most unusual season, he had all the visitors tested and released for COVID-19 at the team’s premises to make sure he will be on the field on Sunday when the Giants visit the Ravens.
Points can be difficult to obtain for the Giants.
“Their defensive front is crazy – they get a lot of good players out there,” said Thomas. “Some big and strong two gappers in the front that allow their linebackers to make a lot of plays and rushers who go into passing situations.”
Thomas’s debut season has been a roller coaster ride: an encouraging debut, a nightmare in the next six games and an extension of five games in which he rounded a corner. Or so it seemed.
The last two games are a true microcosm: Thomas was whipped by the relatively unknown Haason Reddick by an NFL-high-seven pressure and two sacks in week 14 – only to recover by quietly sneaking past the ferocious Myles Garrett pass-rusher. How does that make sense?
“It’s a matter of mentality,” said Thomas. “You understand that, every week, you have to be prepared. You cannot think that someone in the NFL is not able to do his job because he is the best at it. Once a game is over, it is passed. Some things I put on the tape [against Garrett] I was proud, but there are parts I need to work on, and I’m going to take them to the next week. “
The Giants offensive line was in a difficult situation two weeks ago because Daniel Jones was an easy target playing with two leg injuries. Jones’ mobility seemed to be better in practice this week, allowing Thomas more room for error while protecting the blind side. He is likely to receive heavy doses of the six-time Pro Bowler Calais Campbell and Pernell McPhee, with the bag team leader Matthew Judon on the other side.
If anyone forgives Thomas’s ups and downs, it’s Jones, who passed through them as a rookie last season.
“I am extremely impressed with how he handled it,” said Jones. “This is a difficult position to enter and play in the NFL. You are facing many of the best athletes on the field in these pass runners. His learning process was the one he really attacked. His approach every day has been the same. I think he will be a great player. “
Following the NFL tradition of defenders rewarding their attackers for Christmas, Jones asked each of them for an arcade-sized Pac-Man. More video games to cheer up Thomas, who this time avoided running to save energy and make Jones’s life easier on Sunday.
“I wouldn’t say it takes more,” said Thomas. “With him being hurt, this is something you care about. But even when he’s 100 percent, we’re focused on not letting anyone touch the quarterback. “