Feature article on Desmond Thomas

Happy to be UH's starting free safety, expecting his first child in May with his wife, and being on track to be the first family member to earn a college degree in December 2008, Desmond Thomas said:
"I'm blessed, and I'm enjoying everything now," said Thomas, a fourth-year junior. "Tomorrow is never promised." (HA)


About how he drank a lot of alcohol a couple of years ago, Desmond said:
"Man, I was carnal. I did the college thing, enjoying life. I didn't realize I was sinning." (HA)


About how he could not get over his bitterness towards his father who left their family before his 6th birthday, Desmond said:
"It was tough. My mom struggled raising us up. I get all of my courage from her." (HA)


About how his Mom and 2 siblings struggled while living in Sacramento, Fairfield, Vallejo, Richmond, and Oakland, Desmond said:
"Just looking back, I mean, you hear those stories where people didn't have anything to eat. That was my family sometimes. Not most of the cases, but there were times when we had to stay with family members." (HA)


About how she always insisted that Desmond regularly attend church, his Mom Belinda said:
"I tried to keep him with the church activities. Hopefully, it would pay off later." (HA)


About how when Desmond was 12 a neighborhood friend stole some items and gave it to him for safekeeping, and both of them were caught and taken to a juvenile center, Belinda said:
"He was a good kid, and that incident threw us for a loop." (HA)


About how he asked for her son to be held in the juvenile center until the evening, Belinda said:
"He needed to sit there and think about what he did." (HA)

HA Note: "Thomas excelled in football, although Belinda, fearful that his thin body would be prone to injuries, preferred if he would play soccer or basketball. Thomas eventually was offered a UH football scholarship, which he accepted without regrets."


About getting a scholarship from UH, Desmond said:
"I was proud to come out here. I'm the first one in my immediate family with a chance to graduate from college." (HA)

HA Note: "Thomas initially joined UH as a wideout. After two years, he moved to safety. He received little playing time at either position, but was enjoying the college scene. Then last year, a disheveled man approached. Thomas thought the man wanted to ask for money. Instead, the stranger told Thomas that he had "depression" in his eyes. He asked: "Why do you have so much stress?" The stranger told Thomas he needed to change his life. Thomas broke into tears. The man walked away. Thomas never saw him again."


About how Desmond reacted to that meeting with the stranger, Belinda said:
"He took it to heart. He started to go to church again." (HA)


About how he changed his life around, Desmond said:
"I was going through a lot of stuff. I couldn't find any answers. ... Last year, I sacrificed my life to God. He transformed me. I think it was my calling. Now I get a chance to minister to other teammates. See the sticker on the back of my (practice) helmet? I pose that question: 'Got Jesus?' " (HA)


About how she told her son he had to get over his bitterness towards his father, Belinda said:
"If you keep these burdens and heavy heart, you can't appreciate these blessings." (HA)


About how he now has a good relationship with his Dad, who even attended the SJSU game, Desmond said:
"I always held it against him. I couldn't forgive him. The Lord helped me with that. We have a healthy relationship now. We talk on the phone more. The Lord has been working with me in different ways, and forgiveness was one of them." (HA)


About how Demond's play has improved, DB coach Rich Miano said:
"He's working harder in the weight room. He was always a good guy. Now he's a better one." (HA)


About how his mother serves as his motivation to succeed, Desmond said:
"Actions speak louder than words, and I'm just showing her now I'm sorry for all of the things I've done. This is how I'm going to repay — by going to school, by playing football, by doing the right things." (HA)