Months Before Kickoff, Colts Defensive Back’s Dad Gets $5000 Fine After Fatally Shooting Much-Adored Pennsylvania Bald Eagle

Life can be unpredictable and, at times unforgiving. Just one act of negligence or a moment of compulsive behavior is good enough to ruin a life or even a career. Indianapolis Colts defensive back Rodney Thomas II’s preparations for the upcoming NFL 2023 season aren’t off the best of the starts. His father, Rodney Thomas Sr., has been arrested in Canonsburg, Pittsburgh, and charged for allegedly shooting and killing a much-adored Pennsylvania bald eagle.

Rodney Thomas allegedly killed the bald eagle with an air rifle, and the incident took place on May 12 in Mount Pleasant Township, Pennsylvania. He is charged and indicted by Pittsburgh federal grand jury on the grounds of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

Dad booked for shooting a bird

While talking to a Daily, Pittsburgh US Attorney said, “This office remains committed to investigating and prosecuting environmental and wildlife offenses under federal law, including the unlawful killing of bald eagles — the United States’ national bird since 1782,”

On May 15, it was Rodney Thomas himself, who turned himself in to the concerned authorities after the matter was reported to them by several locals. The fatal killing of the American inaugural national animal has come under severe criticism and plenty of sorrow by the locals. Both the Colts and Rodney Thomas II have made no comments on the matter yet.

It is reported that the bald eagle named ‘Sam’, along with another one, has been living in the area for nearly two decades now. The locals gave the bird its name after a popular TV show, ‘Muppets’.

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As per reports, the police took a couple of months to make public the name of the accused and the charges, much to the dismay of the locals in Mount Pleasant Township.

What happens next?

Now that Rodney Thomas Sr. has been indicted by the jury, this could mean a lot of problems in store for the 50-year-old.

Back in May, Rodney Thomas was released on bail, which cost him $10,000. If convicted, he faces a fine of up to $5000 and one-year imprisonment. This doesn’t sound great for Rodney Thomas Jr., who is looking forward to his second season with the Indianapolis Colts.

At a time, when the new season is just a couple of months away, this could serve as a major distraction for the 25-year-old. After spending five seasons at the Ivy League’s Yale Bulldogs, Rodney Thomas Jr. was roped in by the Colts as the 239th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

He became the first pick from the school in the draft since Foyesade Oluokun in 2018. In his opening season, Thomas Jr. recorded 52 tackles, six pass deflections, and four interceptions.

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Will the latest ‘personal’ development serve as motivation or as a massive distraction for the Indianapolis Colts defensive back? Let us know in the comments.