Steelers’ rookie defensive back Thomas doesn’t lack motivation

[stillers4me]

After getting his life headed in the right direction near the end of his high school playing career after “following the wrong crowd,” coupled with a productive freshman year at Syracuse, Shamarko Thomas' dream of playing in the NFL not only seemed attainable, but was all but a sure thing.

That dream quickly changed.

In a nine-month span during his sophomore season at Syracuse, it was no longer a dream but an absolute necessity.

Thomas' mother, Ebeth Shabazz, died suddenly at age 36 of an undiagnosed heart condition nine months after his stepfather, Abdul Shabazz, was killed in a motorcycle crash.

Thomas was just 20 years old at the time. He was thrust into becoming a de facto parent of four younger brothers and a sister — ranging in age from 6 to 16 — in his hometown of Virginia Beach, Va...........


Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/3971126-74/thomas-steelers-motivation#ixzz2SeHmwaq9

[st33lersguy]

Hopefully he translates that motivation into big plays for the Steelers

[GBMelBlount]

Beast.


Shamarko Thomas labeled a standout during Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp

http://www.syracuse.com/orangefootball/index.ssf/2013/05/shamarko_thomas_pittsburgh_ste.html

[GBMelBlount]

.

Former Syracuse safety Shamarko Thomas is impressing teams at this week's NFL Combine.

Thomas’ stock is on the rise after his exceptional workouts.

He ran the 40-yard dash with an official time of 4.42 seconds, which proved to be fastest for all safeties.

....in the bench press competition, lifting 225 pounds an incredible 28 times. Once again, sitting atop his position.

....the broad jump, where Thomas soared himself a whopping 11 feet and 1 inch. He was only one of three players to surpass the 11 foot mark.

Thomas’ vertical jump eclipsed 40.5 inches, which tied with LSU’s SEC first-teamer Eric Reid.


http://www.cnycentral.com/sports/story.aspx?id=865649#.UYm7qaKG1rI

[Psycho Ward 86]

ok i gotta say, that is the most impressive combine overall that ive seen in a long time. 28 reps from a safety? Must be part of the reason why he proved so effective in press coverage against some of the best receivers in college. i hope he's as intelligent as carnell lake thinks he is, because he could prove really vital against some guys like Gronk

[tube517]

Happy for this kid. His story is well documented here in our area.


"It's more of a get-to-know as opposed to looking for anyone distinguishing themselves. Obviously, it's football in shorts."


:tomlinism: :chuckle:

[salamander]

I'm definitely liking this kid so far. Hopefully he stays healthy and becomes a big contributor for the Steelers.

[steelerdude15]

This was a good article. It's always nice to see athletes help out their family. I hoping for the best and I think he could be a good player for this team.

[GBMelBlount]

Here he is running a 4.38 and then a full frontal face plant. :chuckle:

Hell, at 213 and a 4.38 they should try him at running back.


http://youtu.be/1LV4DppT8LU


http://youtu.be/9Zf_UUPTp58

[steelreserve]

I'm just wondering if it's only me who sees "Sharko" every time I see his name in print. It can't be just me. Can't.

[Psycho Ward 86]

I'm just wondering if it's only me who sees "Sharko" every time I see his name in print. It can't be just me. Can't.

me too. some sort of play on the word "shark" could make for an awesome nickname. he better earn that right first

[GBMelBlount]

me too. some sort of play on the word "shark" could make for an awesome nickname. he better earn that right first

That's certainly better than "Sham."

lol.

[Psycho Ward 86]

That's certainly better than "Sham."

lol.

well now we have a nickname for him if he never pans out :lol:

[Pristas]

How about ShaMako Shark Thomas?

From wiki on the Mako Shark:

The Shortfin Mako is the fastest species of shark.[7] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shortfin_mako_shark#cite_note-FLMNH-7) Its speed has been recorded at 50 kilometres per hour (31 mph) with bursts of up to 74 kilometres per hour (46 mph).[18] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shortfin_mako_shark#cite_note-18) They can leap approximate 9 metres (30 ft) high or higher in the air. Some scientists suggest that the shortfin mako can swim up to 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph), though scientists are still in debate over exactly how fast the shortfin mako shark can swim. This high-leaping fish is a highly sought-after game fish (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_fish) worldwide. There are cases when an angry mako jumped into a boat after having been hooked.[19] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shortfin_mako_shark#cite_note-19)

Basically, it is a fast and nasty shark. It sneaks up on its prey from beneath and takes out their hind quarters thereby immobilizing them.

[steelreserve]

hmm ...

Sharko Thomas
Shark O'Thomas
the Irish Shark

That settles it. The Irish Shark it is.

Talk about one that'd make people would go "Why in the fuck do you have THAT nickname?"

[HollywoodSteel]

I'm not too worried about his height. He has long arms and a good vertical jump. He's not quite as fast as Troy was at the combine but I imagine he'd beat him in a race today. :)

Obviously he is a tremendous athlete with the right tenacity and work ethic so the key to him will be his on-field awareness and intelligence. But if Lake has confidence in him, so do I.

[steeldawg]

I like the mako shark

[Psycho Ward 86]

How about ShaMako Shark Thomas?

From wiki on the Mako Shark:

The Shortfin Mako is the fastest species of shark.[7] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shortfin_mako_shark#cite_note-FLMNH-7) Its speed has been recorded at 50 kilometres per hour (31 mph) with bursts of up to 74 kilometres per hour (46 mph).[18] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shortfin_mako_shark#cite_note-18) They can leap approximate 9 metres (30 ft) high or higher in the air. Some scientists suggest that the shortfin mako can swim up to 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph), though scientists are still in debate over exactly how fast the shortfin mako shark can swim. This high-leaping fish is a highly sought-after game fish (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_fish) worldwide. There are cases when an angry mako jumped into a boat after having been hooked.[19] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shortfin_mako_shark#cite_note-19)

Basically, it is a fast and nasty shark. It sneaks up on its prey from beneath and takes out their hind quarters thereby immobilizing them.

he sure fits the bill