Colts safety Rodney Thomas' dad arrested for shooting bald eagle

The father of Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas II has been arrested for allegedly shooting a bald eagle. The New York Post reported on the news this week.

Rodney Thomas, 50, turned himself over to authorities after allegedly shooting a bald eagle to death on May 12. The incident occurred in Mount Pleasant, Penn., a suburb of Pittsburgh.

Thomas was indicted by a Pittsburgh federal grand jury in violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, per the report. The protected bird nested in the area for approximately 20 years.

“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,” Pittsburgh U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan told The Post.

Thomas was released on $10,000 bail. He faces up to $5,000 in fines and one year in jail for the shooting death of the eagle.

Rodney Thomas enters second NFL season in 2023

The younger Thomas enters his second season in the NFL in 2023, posting an impressive rookie campaign. It was a pleasant surprise for the Colts, who selected the defensive back in the seventh round out of Yale.

Thomas, a native of Pittsburgh, was selected No. 239 overall by Indianapolis in the 2022 NFL Draft. It didn’t take him long to carve out a significant role, though.

Last season, Thomas appeared in all 17 games for the Colts, making 10 starts. He accounted for 52 total tackles with six passes defended and four interceptions. Three of those picks came in the final four games of the regular season.

Unfortunately for the Colts, Thomas’ success on the field did not help the franchise in the win column. The team ended the 2023 campaign with a 4-12-1 record. Indianapolis missed out on the playoffs for a second-straight year and for the third time in four seasons.

Prior to jumping to the NFL, Thomas was at Yale from 2017-21. He earned two All-Ivy League selections and ended his career with 134 tackles, 21 passes defended and six interceptions.

Thomas looks to build off a strong rookie campaign and continue making an impact for the Colts’ secondary in 2023. Indianapolis begins preseason action on Aug. 12 against the Buffalo Bills. The team also plays the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles.

Indianapolis opens the 2023 regular season on Sunday, Sept. 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.