Earl Thomas says he stands behind coach Pete Carroll’s decision to take him off punt returns, and supports new Seahawks punt returner Bryan Walters.
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The Pro Bowl safety also has a message to all the fans who complained that he wasn’t a good returner and worried about him getting hurt while doing that job.
It’s not exactly a friendly message (via The Seattle Times).
"“It’s not about me, it’s about the team,” Thomas said. “So I just took it that way. I’m all in no matter what the situation is. B-Walt (Bryan Walters), he’s a great returner, he deserves it, he’s been working hard. It doesn’t always happen like you want it too. But I know I’m still up as far as situationally and I’ll always be prepared. I know I’m going to impact this team as far as punt return in a positive way. I have full faith in my capability and I’m not worrying about anything. But the fans, they can kind of sleep easier now. They can stop sending their regards in. They were a little bit selfish in my perspective. But it’s a give-give, I guess. But overall, man, I’m just happy to be a part of this team. That’s it.”"
The 12th Man? Selfish? How so, Earl?
Selfish for wanting you to not embarrass yourself and the team by having no clue when to call for a fair catch? Selfish for not wanting to see a top defensive player get hurt for no good reason?
Thomas adds:
"“You know, it’s just like me saying in your job, I don’t want you to get a promotion because you are too good at what you do. People don’t understand you, so they don’t know what you are capable of. They just are so used to seeing you in a certain role they don’t want you to expand. That’s just my mind frame.”"
So the fans’ hesitancy to embrace Thomas the punt returner was all about them wanting to put him in a box and limit his upward mobility. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was a terrible punt returner.
Okay Earl. Whatever you say buddy.