The father of Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas II is the Pennsylvanian man accused of killing a bald eagle in a Pittsburgh suburb in May, according to records.
This week, a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh indicted 50-year-old Rodney Thomas, of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, for breaking the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
After allegedly shooting the bird to death in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, on May 12, Thomas quickly turned himself into police. But it took them over two months to find him or make his accusations public. The length of time infuriated Mount Pleasant residents.
The eagle that would eventually pass away was one of two that had nested in the area for almost 20 years. Residents of the area dubbed the magnificent bird “Sam” after the Disney Muppet Vision 3D character, according to a couple who spoke with The Post.
Thomas II, a 25-year-old standout at Yale University, was chosen by the Colts in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He had a productive first season despite the team’s dismal 4-12-1 record, which included a 17-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Thomas was released on a $10,000 bail, but he still faces a $5,000 fine and a year in prison. The Colts and Rodney Thomas II have so far declined to comment.
According to Eric G. Olshan, U.S. Attorney for Pittsburgh, “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.”
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