Interview with Clevan Thomas
Tim Ball
Friday March 21, 2003
An ArenaFan Interview:
Stars and superstars. The Arena Football League has players who standout in a league that stands alone. For sixteen years the AFL has survived and grown for two reasons: players and fans. There are outstanding examples of both of those. Fans throughout the league prove their worth as the ninth man more than in any other league; many showing support even after their teams are gone.
In the same vein, there are players who deserve recognition in their own rights. Not by where they can go or what they can do elsewhere, but what they do for this league.
Clevan Thomas is such a player. While the San Jose SaberCats have stood at the brink of true excellence for many seasons, it was the addition of Thomas that proved to be the missing component. In a league where scoring is advertised, Thomas has made the case for defense to be heralded from now on. In his first appearance in the ArenaBowl, Thomas led a defense that shutout their opponent until the fourth quarter.
Just named Ironman of the Week for the AFL, Thomas, the 2002 Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year, is leading the league in 2003 with nine interceptions in the first seven games. With two kickoff returns in his last outing, Thomas is once again setting a course for excellence.
As reported in San Jose’s media guide, Thomas was a four-year letter winner for Florida State University. He started against Virginia Tech in the 2000 Sugar Bowl and posted five tackles in FSU’s 46-29 victory over the Hoakies in the National Championship game. Thomas started all 13 games his senior season, including the 2001 Orange Bowl Championship game.
A surprising fact about the defensive sensation is that in high school at Miami Senior HS, he played both sides of the ball. Thomas threw for more than 1500 yards and 15 touchdowns and in his senior year added five interceptions while on defense.
Having covered Thomas from day one, it is only fitting that ArenaFan be the place where the league hears from the quiet superstar:
Tim Ball: Not bad for your first year in Arena Football. Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year, and a championship ring. What do you attribute to so much success so quickly?
Clevan Thomas: I was on the right team at the right time. They were already one of the best teams in the league. Everything just clicked. I’m lucky to have signed with them.
TB: How did you find yourself going to San Jose? That’s a long way from Florida.
CT: I was introduced to Darren Arbet after a few months out of college and we talked on and off for days. He flew me out to see the SaberCats program. Although Arena Football is played on a much different field with rules that go along with it, there’s not a lot of difference when playing. You still have to do the same things here as anywhere else.
TB: You and Arbet are both quiet men. How did you get along?
CT: He was honest right from the start. I talked it over with my pastor and my family and we all felt good going with San Jose and everything has been like Coach Arbet said it would be. This league is really tough. Nothing comes easy. I owe a lot to him for being straight with me and guiding me through the learning process.
TB: You played in front of big crowds at FSU and you think the Arena League is tough?
CT: (Laughing) I played in front of 80,000 people every weekend but there’s nothing like this. The fans are right next to you and they get in your ear all game. Sometimes I don’t want to make mistakes ‘cause those fans really give it to you.
TB: Are there any places tougher to play at than others?
CT: (Laughing) Yeah but I’m not saying which ones.
TB: There are a lot of strange rules in the AFL. Do you like the rule about having to sign autographs and talk to fans after the game?
CT: It’s a special time for players. I really like how nice the people are even at other arenas after the game. Yeah, it’s a good thing.
TB: Is there any way to prepare for this brand of football?
CT: No not really. It’s something you have to experience to know what it feels like. Things happen faster than anyone can prepare you for. But it is football after all.
TB: A lot of quarterbacks come and go in this league. Having thrown passes in high school and intercepted so many in the AFL, why is this league so tough on QB’s?
CT: Speed. You only have seconds to decide what you’re going to do because the field is compressed. Quarterbacks have to have great skills but have to make good decisions instantly.
TB: Coming from a big time college program, how do you feel about the legitimacy of Arena Football?
CT: It’s a great league. Players have to think about so many things at once. There is no let up. If you make a mistake it’s over. I think a lot of young guys should look at this league. But it’s hard to make a team here too. There are a lot of good players in this league.
TB: The SaberCats staff stress team unity as a big deal. What does this mean?
CT: A team is only as good as the players playing together. This can’t be stressed enough. If you know what your teammates think and trust them and they trust you, you can overcome things that can go wrong. You can have a lot of talented guys that don’t win because they’re not playing for each other as well as with each other.
TB: That was clearly obvious at the awards banquet last year before the ArenaBowl. Your teammates didn’t hide their emotions when you won both Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year. What made that season and that team so special?
CT: There are a lot of great people that made up that team. Everyone came to practice committed to each other and the team. I learned a lot just about life from those guys. We’re lucky that so many of these players are back this year.
TB: You seemed surprised when your name was called at the awards banquet. You really didn’t know how good you were doing?
CT: No. We were so focused on preparing every week and we don’t always have time to read all the stuff on the team. Our team is like that now. If you get caught up in reading the hype around each game it can affect how you play.
TB: Who helped you learn the arena game? You’re playing with Barry Wagner and some other very experienced AFL players. Anyone in particular?
CT: Barry has helped me for sure. What also helps is that I have to compete against James Hundon, James Roe and Mark Grieb. Like I said the SaberCats have a lot of very talented players and I’ve got to go against them all everyday in practice.
TB: I hear that a lot from other SaberCats players, that practice is intense. Is that what makes you so good at covering receivers?
CT: We practice hard. It’s no joke. I’m fortunate to be on a team with some of the best guys in the league and that has helped me the most.
TB: C’mon, I mean how do you do it? Why are you able to be so close to receivers all game long?
CT: If you use good technique and stay with your man, you’re bound to get your opportunities. In this league they are going to score. It may sound easy but you just have to stop them more than they do. You’ve got to shake it off and try to get them the next time. The biggest problem is to get discouraged. That’s where having good teammates and coaches count the most.
TB: You are very religious and not shy about it. You are married and have a four-year-old son, Clevan Jr. How hard is it to keep your temper during games and also how do you deal with traveling to all of those cities?
CT: I used think that you had to be a tough guy to be a good football player. I used to hit people hard sometimes for the wrong reasons. I learned that that only keeps you from enjoying things. Jesus is my Lord and Savior and I don’t hide it, that’s true. I have no problems traveling to other cities because I have good friends on the team and we focus on the game.
TB: Who was your biggest influence growing up?
CT: Well, my dad passed when I was four. My mom and grandmother were the biggest influences. There’s no telling where I would be without them.
TB: That brings me to an important question, at the awards banquet you mentioned getting a second chance to play football. What did you mean by that?
CT: I made some bad choices right out of college. They were the typical things that young people sometimes involve themselves in. But I feel God has given me a second chance to play in the Arena League and I’m truly thankful to be here. If you take responsibility for your past then you can take control of your future. I’m happy to be on the SaberCats. I love what I’m doing right now.
TB: So do the SaberCats. Can San Jose repeat this year?
CT: As Coach Arbet says, we just take them one game at a time.
TB: Fair enough. Anything you want to say to family or friends?
CT: Yeah, I want to thank the fans in San Jose. They have been great. My mom and my grandmother for always being there for me and my wife Yera and my son Clevan Jr. They keep me focused on the good things in life.
TB: Clevan, good luck with the rest of the season. Congratulations on the Ironman award this week and all you’ve accomplished so far.
CT: Thanks so much. See you at the game.
Clevan Thomas’ second season in the AFL has already made an impact for the SaberCats success. Clearly the most dominating defender in the league, most teams will not challenge him often. With nine interceptions in seven games and shutting down opposing offenses in the last three San Jose victories, it is clear that Thomas and the SaberCats are once again the team to watch.
The Arena Football League has stars and superstars. The time has come for the league, its fans and players to stand up and be recognized.
Tim Ball is a writer in the Chicagoland area. Married and father of three, his opinions on Arena Football reflects the positive aspect of the game as a family event second to none in pro sports.
