If there’s one thing Azareye’h Thomas follows harder than football, it’s his faith and family. He isn’t just locking down wide receivers as a cornerback – he is also showcasing his beliefs for the world to see. Whether it’s through his heartfelt reflections or Instagram captions – he makes one thing clear: his purpose in life is bigger than sports. But who is he behind the helmet and highlight reels? What’s the story behind that unique name? And what role does faith play in his life?

What is Azareye’h Thomas’s religion?

Let’s not beat around the bush – Azareye’h Thomas is a devout Christian, and he doesn’t just say it, he lives it. And his Instagram bio says it all: “Servant of Christ. In Jesus, our identity is received, not achieved.” He makes sure that he thanks God for his journey in life. On Good Friday last year, he reflected on his beliefs: “Let this day remind us of the ultimate sacrifice, suffering, and price Jesus Christ paid… He was crucified so we could live. Entered darkness so we could walk in light… Let’s not make our lives merely lip service, but live out our gratefulness because of what He did for us, not just what we can gain from Him.”

Time and again, Azareye’h Thomas has used his social media platform to share his faith. When he declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, his statement wasn’t just about football – but also a testament to his faith. As he wrote, “To GOD be the glory, honor, and praise for His grace, mercy, and light He has shown me in giving me the strength daily to pursue a childhood dream… Without His presence, I wouldn’t have found the strength to endure. I’m humbled knowing He has designed every step of my journey and will continue to guide me.” 

And looks like his faith does back him up, as it’s evident in his dedication and performance on the field. Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 198 lbs, he has had quite some presence at the Florida State Seminoles. In the 2024 season, he started all 12 games as a cornerback and ranked second on the team with 52 tackles. Must say – impressive stats!

But the moment that he says solidified his faith like never before was when his high school coach, Grant Thompson, pulled him aside and gave him advice that changed his whole perspective. “Azareye’h, stop worrying about the future. Just have fun. If you have fun and leave everything in God’s hands, everything will take care of itself.” 

No wonder God did take care of everything else. Azareye’h Thomas just had to focus on his game and work hard – everything else fell into place.“It’s crazy how God works. He kept me close to home,” Thomas said. “If anything were to happen, I’m two hours away from home.”

Now, when he attended the NFL Combine, he yet again gave credit to God. As he captioned his Instagram post – “Dreamed of this since I was little. GOD has truly been so good to me. Better to me than what I’ve been to Him. I’m thankful and I’m humbled.” 

What is Azareye’h Thomas’s ethnicity?

Azareye’h Thomas was born on July 6, 2004, in Niceville, Florida. He carries a unique name. His first name, a variation of the Hebrew name “Azariah,” translates to “Yahweh has helped” or “He who is helped by God.” And the way he talks about his faith – the meaning fits perfectly.

While he has a deep connection with God. He loves his family deeply, too. He has four siblings – two sisters: older sister Cachet, and younger sister Na’Taliyeh. And two brothers – Azende Rey and Juanyeh Thomas. Azareye’h Thomas is playing for FSU, while Juanyeh Thomas spent his college career with the Yellow Jackets, and Rey transferred there from FAMU for his senior season. But none of them would have made it so far if it wasn’t for their mother – Stephanie Thomas.

The Thomas family, as a whole, faced extreme hardships in their early days. They have spent nights in and out of public housing and hotels when Azareye’h was a kid. They sometimes had to sleep in a car. Azareye’h shared that one night he had to eat ravioli straight out of a can – a memory that still hits him when he walks past the canned food section in grocery stores.

But to him, these memories aren’t sad – but a reminder of where he came from. You know the ones that keep you grounded. “I’m really proud of it, my Mama, I’m proud of where we’ve come from,” Thomas said. “My mom always has a smile on her face. Kept us in the cleanest clothes she could find, kept us tight and right. She’d wear the same clothes for a week, she’d make sure we’d eat first. Even till this day, she makes sure we eat first—it’s who she is. She doesn’t try to live through us, she just wants to be there for us.”

Her mother, Stephanie Thomas, became a single mother in 2004. Azareye’h was just a few months old. It happened because the domestic issues just worsened between her and Azareye’h’s father after they returned from military service in Iraq. “He set the home on fire. We lost everything in a melted frame. Everything.”

Despite all the hardships, she never let her children suffer. She made sure that the circumstances wouldn’t define them. “There were times I didn’t feel like doing it, but I knew I wouldn’t let the streets consume my sons at all. So I had to be actively involved.”

Now, as Azareye’h recalls, his first ever football TD – it’s because of his mother, who was cheering for him the loudest. “She’s literally running up and down the sideline saying ‘Shake and Bake, Azareye’h! Shake and Bake!'” Thomas recalled. “When I saw my mom on the sideline, I knew I had to have a good game because I was going to hear it from her when I got home.”

Fast forward to his signing day, as he announced his commitment to FSU – he made everyone’s hearts melt. He looked at his mother and his voice cracked with emotions. And he said, “Before I got up there, I told myself I wasn’t going to cry. But it’s different when you’re up there, reading the words you wrote from your heart.” It sure does!

So, now, Azareye’h Thomas isn’t just entering the NFL alone – he is carrying his family and faith with him. He continues to share that he’s not just playing for the fans, scouts, trophies or rewards, he is playing for God himself. “Often we seek applause from the wrong crowd. There’s no greater ‘well done’ than the One in Heaven.”