Seahawks safety Earl Thomas covered some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby before Sunday’s NFC title clash with the 49ers.
Q: How much did the doubters drive you over the years?
A: There’s always doubters out there, and that’s the reason I loved competitive sports. You’re always looking for the ultimate challenge to maintain who you are. That’s why I think, even if we win it all this year, I’m still gonna be focused on, “OK, can you do it again?” You’re always searching for that ultimate challenge. That’s what the doubters do — when you hear that stuff, it fuels you, you always listen to it throughout the offseason: “This guy can’t tackle, he can’t do that.” So you just work on it, you make your weakness of your strength, then you see what they gotta say about it after that ’cause I guarantee those same doubters are gonna be a fan of yours after you prove ’em wrong.
Q: You’re 5-foot-10, but you once said, “My confidence makes me seem like I’m 6-feet-4.”
A: When people see me play, they think this guy’s 6-3, or this guy’s bigger than what he is. But when they see me in real life, they really get the picture of what I’m talking about. There’s a reason why people think I’m so big. … I play big. I’m fearless. When you’re out there playing football, you can’t be hesitant, you can’t be timid. You gotta let it rip.
Q: How would you describe the on-field personality of the Seahawks defense?
A: I would describe it as focused, relentless, tough, running and hitting. I would describe it as one — tied on a string. Our biggest trait is discipline, we’re very disciplined.
Q: Who are you more like, Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu?
A: I think it’s a mix, that’s what makes me unique. I think when I watch both of those guys play, I think it’s a little bit of both of those guys’ games that I play like. When you see Troy being explosive, when you see Ed making those picks, that’s me in a nutshell. That’s what I love about my game, it’s unique.
Q: What are your thoughts on 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree?
A: Quick guy, you want to get in his face. He makes a lot of guys miss. After he catches the ball, he’s very good with the YAC — yards after catch.
Q: Anquan Boldin?
A: Very physical. I think this guy is a representation of how their defense is on offense. He gets into a lot of DBs heads with the talking. I think he feeds off his own energy. I think he’s one of the most explosive guys they got in terms of always using his body, finding ways to get open. He really understands the game.
Q: Tight end Vernon Davis?
A: Speed. I think this guy’s unique also just because he puts so much stress on a regular defense as far as his speed. He’s not your typical tight end. … This guy is faster than all the receivers that they have. You don’t find tight ends like that very often that big and also poses that deep threat.
Q: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick?
A: This guy, in my eyes, hasn’t really changed since he came to the league. I think this guy is very explosive, he understands his God-given ability, and he takes full advantage of everything that he has.
Q: How about your QB, Russell Wilson?
A: Great leader. I think the biggest thing about him is his unselfish nature. A lot of people are giving him a hard time about the offense is struggling, but I don’t agree with that. I think he understands how this whole organization works as far as the offense and trusting the defense, ’cause he understands he has a good defense, and he’s gonna take what the defense gives him. He’s always gonna put the team in position to win. That’s what I love most about him.
Q: How much of an advantage is having the 12th Man on your side?
A: They’re in it from snap one to the last second of the game. It’s just a great environment. I haven’t played in any arena like that. That’s why I love playing way up here in the Northwest, in our own little corner, our own little bubble, ’cause it’s just us. And when you have to come to our territory, it’s very difficult for you to come out with a [win].
Q: Do you think you have a psychological edge having outscored the 49ers 71-16 in your last two meetings at CenturyLink?
A: I don’t know. You’re gonna have to kinda ask that question for those guys. But we’re not tricking ourself. We’re not gonna fall for okie-doke. We’re gonna expect their best, and them when they don’t show us their best, we’re gonna keep our foot on the gas.
Q: If you didn’t know how old coach Pete Carroll was, how old would you think he was?
A: I would say he’s in his mid-40s. Obviously, you can tell he’s older, but he’s full of energy all the time. He’s very encouraging and always positive, and I think that’s why he’s always so successful, ’cause just his mentality. I think we’ve done a great job of kinda capturing his whole mentality and how he wants this team to be running. It’s just a great feeling and a great opportunity to be playing under a guy like that.
Q: Is there a quarterback you haven’t intercepted yet who you would like to intercept?
A: I really don’t focus on intercepting quarterbacks, I really just focus on execution, and I think the execution always takes care of itself. But I think I’ve gotten my share of quarterbacks.
Q: What made you guys so successful against Eli Manning this year?
A: When you’re very familiar with a team and you played ’em before, they’re never gonna go away from who they are. They’re always gonna be the same. They might add a couple of gadget plays, but we kinda knew and understand how they want to attack us. And the same with this week. If you prepare well, you’re gonna have success.
Q: What did you think of MetLife Stadium?
A: It was a great atmosphere. Looking forward coming back to it.
Q: Who was your boyhood idol?
A: My dad. He had a big influence on my life not only in sports, but just in life itself. Obviously, he was the first person that introduced me to the game of football, and just his love of football kinda trickled down to me, and I just ran away with it.
Q: Describe your grandfather.
A: He was a pastor, and he built his own church, he had his own vision. This is a guy that worked at Kroger’s [grocery] for maybe like 25, 30 years. Before you know it, he worked his way up. He was a country boy, came from nothing, and he was able to take care of not only him and his wife but six other children. Everybody has always had the utmost respect for my grandfather, and that’s where I got my name from. He used to always tell me, “Son, you’re either gonna change your ways or change your name.” That’s why I always say my name is very important. … Obviously, my grandfather’s name is Earl Thomas, my dad is Earl Thomas Jr., and I’m Earl Thomas III.
Q: And yet you’re a mama’s boy?
A: You gotta be. Mom is always gonna be Mom, and she’s never gonna let me forget that. She still treats me like I’m maybe 12 years old. She busts into my room, I’m like, “Yeah c’mon Mom, you see the door closed.” … I am mama’s boy, I’m proud to say that.
Q: She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1987.
A: The doctors had given her six months to live. She was so determined, she never gave up. She wasn’t thinking, “I’m gonna die,” and just die. She actually believed and trusted and put all her trust in God, and God delivered her. They said she would never have children. But, you know, I came and also my brother came. Ever since we were little, we were told that story, that we were a miracle child that were put on this earth for a reason. And I definitely believe that just through my circumstance of coming from a country boy. I’m 5-10, not the biggest guy, not everybody’s prototypical guy that they want as far as safety, but God always paved an avenue for me to have success.
Q: How were you able to overcome what Hurricane Rita did to your family, when it hit near your hometown of Orange, Texas, in 2005?
A: Life is always gonna throw you situations that you’re not ready for. It’s just about your ability to adapt. Even in football, when they throw a play that you haven’t seen all week in practice, it’s who can adapt quicker? That’s what separates us, ’cause I think we’re always talking situational football. Even in that situation, with Hurricane Rita, I had my mom and my dad. That’s all I needed.
Q: You had to live in a Motel 6, right?
A: Yeah, and it was very tough. But you appreciate those struggles. That’s my motto: Anytime something bad happens in my life, I always feel like something good is gonna happen. It’s very tough when you try to focus on academics and also sports when you really have a lot going on at home. But I think that’s what made my mentality so tough.
Q: Describe the birth of your daughter, Kaleigh Rose, who is now 1 year old.
A: It was a new experience, kinda like how I’m feeling right now about the playoffs — you just go with it, you really just stay in the moment, I guess, you know? As she got older, it started to hit me when she started saying “ Dada,” and when she see me come here from work, she’ll run up to me and say, “Dada.” When you have a bad day, you just forget everything, and focus on what you love, this angel, or this princess that you brought into this world.
Q: Are you gonna win this game?
A: Definitely!