January 29, 2005

Eagles sign Walter Mitty Jeff Thomason to play in Super Bowl.: When Chad Lewis, the Philadelphia TE who caught two touchdowns in the NFC championship game, was ruled out of the Super Bowl with a foot injury, the Eagles called on an ex-player and current construction project manager to fill Lewis's spot. A neat story about a former role player called out of retirement to play in the big game.

posted by msacheson to football at 12:23 PM - 10 comments

As an aside, I met Jeff Thomason at a wedding a few years ago. He's a really nice guy. He was happy to talk about being a pro football player, but he also did not make a big deal about it. I checked the Eagles roster earlier this year and noticed he wasn't playing anymore; I'm happy to see this story about him.

posted by msacheson at 12:26 PM on January 29, 2005

Great story and tremendously well-written to boot. I'll be rooting for him, even though I'm sure the damned TV guys won't shut up about it.

posted by wfrazerjr at 03:39 PM on January 29, 2005

That is pretty damn cool, and as wfjr said, it was a well-written, flowing article. I'm still rooting for the Patriots, but I hope the Eagles play well in defeat and Thomason does himself and his community proud. It certainly sounds like he's lived his post-public life the way we wish all athletes would: humble, human, down-to-earth.

posted by hincandenza at 04:13 PM on January 29, 2005

I'll do a shot in his honor if he scores a touchdown.

posted by dusted at 04:24 PM on January 29, 2005

Now this is a great story. This is the kind of "super Bowl" story I like. No hype, no garbage-just a well written story about a man and his favrite game.

posted by daddisamm at 08:34 PM on January 29, 2005

High Fly the Eagles....Well, much to everyones suprise they are in the Superbowl.And beleive you me,there is alot of suprises coming forth for the Patriots.Andy,has'nt brought this team this far to play ball control.And adding Jeff was a good example and I am sure you will see his contribution in a big game like this.I am not taking anything away from the Patriots,one of the best teams ever.But, Andy knows this and therefore,Patriots(Brady)beware of the Claws!!!!

posted by hairwizard at 09:41 AM on January 30, 2005

Jeff Thomason is officially my hero for this week.

posted by Joey Michaels at 04:54 AM on January 31, 2005

Hey Joey M. good choice for hero of the week.....I do really think he will make a difference for the Eagles come superbowl Sunday. Just enough to let the air out of the Patriots balloon. I am looking forward for a really good game.

posted by hairwizard at 09:43 AM on January 31, 2005

Weird sidenote ... I live in Canada and watch the NFL playoffs on Global. I just realized the other day that the promo Global leads in with actually features Thomason making a leaping grab. I wonder if it was like that before or edited him in? Doc, Grum ... you catch that?

posted by wfrazerjr at 02:21 PM on January 31, 2005

I missed that. I didn't catch the name of the guy making the catch, so I can't confirm that. Then again, I've seen WAY too many promos on Global, so it could have said "Joey" or "24" and I wouldn't have noticed...

posted by grum@work at 03:49 PM on January 31, 2005

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