Andrew Thomas ran around the house screaming for joy on Christmas morning.
What other reaction should a preadolescent boy have when he is caught selling a new PlayStation 3?
“Christmas for us was not always about gifts, but we were lucky to have our family,” Thomas said. “I grew up in a household with two parents, and my grandmother cooked for every big holiday. There were some Christmases that we might not have presents for, but when I was 12 or 13, I didn’t expect much, and somehow, my parents took my PS3. “
A decade later, Thomas’ virtual resemblance is part of one of the most popular video games – as the $ 32 million Giants debutant left the approach in “Madden NFL 21” – and is one who created Christmas memories for children.
From afar and with the help of his parents and local business, Thomas collaborated with the mayor of his hometown and local business in a unit that offered 50 turkeys and gave gifts from wish lists to five selected families affected by the pandemic. from Lithonia, Ga.
“We put some bags together to make people feel a little better during this time,” Thomas said. “I want to help my community as much as I can – not just with the offer, but I’m thinking about planning things about how to manage money and pay bills. Having this contract to help others is an important thing. “
Thomas recreated his childhood Christmas flying in his parents, sister and girlfriend to fill his new home with the smell of soul food after Friday’s Giants practice. In this unusual season, he had all the visitors tested and eliminated for COVID-19 by the team to make sure he is on the field on Sunday, when the Giants visit the Ravens.
Points could be hard to find for the Giants.
“Their defensive front is crazy – they spin a lot of good players there,” Thomas said. “A few big, strong ones with two gappers in front of them, which allow their defenders to do a lot of games and rushers that get into passing situations.”
Thomas’ debut season was a roller coaster: an encouraging debut, a nightmare in the next six games and a five-game stretch where he turned the corner. Or so it seemed.
The last two games are a real microcosm: Thomas was whipped by relatively unknown Haason Reddick for seven NFL pressures and two sacks in Week 14 – only to recover by passing quietly unnoticed against the fierce passing Myles Garrett. How does that make sense?
“It’s a mentality thing,” Thomas said. “You understand that every week you have to be prepared. You can’t believe no one in the NFL is able to do their job because he’s the best at it. Once a game is over, that’s in the past. There were a few things I put on the tape [against Garrett] I was proud, but there were pieces I have to work on and I’ll take them to next week. “
The Giants’ offensive line was in a difficult spot two weeks ago, as Daniel Jones was a seated duck playing two leg wounds. Jones’ mobility showed better in practice this week, giving Thomas a greater margin for error by protecting the blind. He is likely to receive heavy six-time Pro Bowler Calais Campbell and Pernell McPhee, with dismissal team leader Matthew Judon on the other side.
If anyone forgives Thomas’s ups and downs, it’s Jones, who went through them as a debutant last season.
“I was extremely impressed with the way he handled it,” Jones said. “This is a difficult position to enter and play in the NFL. You face many of the best athletes on the field in those games. His learning process was one that he really attacked. His approach every day was the same. I think he’s going to be a great player. “
In keeping with the NFL tradition of quarterbacks rewarding their offensive line officers for Christmas, Jones ordered an arcade-sized Pac-Man. More video games to excite Thomas, who jumped in during this time to save energy to make Jones’ life easier on Sunday.
“I wouldn’t say we need a plus,” Thomas said. “With him injured, that worries you. But even when he has 100%, we focus on not letting anyone touch the defender. “