Once a linebacker with the Eagles, 'other' William Thomas a fan of Tra

Former linebacker William Thomas was in his eighth season when the Eagles selected William "Tra" Thomas in the first round of the 1998 draft. He says it didn't take long for him to realize the Eagles made the right choice with that No. 11 pick.

"He showed early on that he was special," Thomas the linebacker said. "He had the build of a left tackle, had that fight in him. Some guys don't have that mentality, but he has it."

Thomas the linebacker, or "Willie T" as he was known in his playing days, lives with his wife Susan and their three sons in Mullica Hill, N.J.

In addition to dabbling in real estate, Thomas, 39, is in his first season as a volunteer assistant at La Salle University. Though the Explorers are a dismal 0-6, Thomas' enthusiasm hasn't waned.

"We'd like to get some wins, but that's not happening right now," he said. "But the kids are still having fun and we get to put in some [interesting] defenses."

Thomas played for the Eagles from 1991-99 and the Raiders from 2000-01. He was a Pro Bowler in 1995 and 1996 and was the Eagles' defensive MVP 3 straight years from 1995-97.

Since many of La Salle's players were mere toddlers when Thomas was in his prime, not many grasp how prominent a player their coach was.

"The kids might not, but their parents know," he said. "They're like, 'You were my favorite player.'" *

— Ed Barkowitz