Earl Thomas guided Seattle’s dominant defense on a Super Bowl XLVIII run in 2013-14, and on Tuesday, the Seahawks front office made sure Area 29 will remain at home in CenturyLink Field for the foreseeable future.
ET III and the World Champion Seahawks agreed to a four-year extension Tuesday—a deal that will keep No. 29 in the Emerald City through the 2018 season.
Earl is happy to be staying in Seattle and expressed his excitement for the future of the organization, saying that the faith shown by the franchise will only make him work harder going forward.
“I’m just excited for the future,” ET said. “I always said bad stuff always lit my fire. But this is one good thing that really boosted me and added fuel to that fire. And I needed this, this is great.The only way this will change me is that I will work even harder than I ever worked before, trying to reach that unlimited potential I always talk about. It’s like faith. It’s something that you really can’t see. But I know my potential as a football player is not even close to where it needs to be. There’s no ceiling.”
The defense, and specifically the Legion of Boom secondary, was the foundation of the Seattle championship run.
Much of the Hawks’ defensive scheme was successful because Earl, from his deep free safety position, walled off “Area 29″ at the back of the team’s defense.
Seattle selected Earl at No. 14 overall out of the University of Texas in the 2010 NFL draft—the first draft for head caoch Pete Carroll. In the three seasons since, the Seahawks have built their now dominant defense around him.
“It makes me feel humble, just to the fact of the circumstances I’ve had to overcome just to get to this point,” Earl said. “It’s also just the commitment that the organization has made to me. I was part of the first draft of the Pete Carroll era. The owner (Paul Allen) did a great job of sticking to what he believes in and has taken care of the core players.”
His presence in center field allowed the team’s physical corners to shut down opposing receivers. Earl was named first-team All-Pro for the 2013-14 season—his third straight All-Pro and second first-team selection.
Joining him on the All-Pro team were two fellow LOB members, strong safety Kam Chancellor and corner Richard Sherman. Together they helped the Seahawks to lead the NFL in total and passing defense, so the Seattle executives made it a priority to keep the dominant group together.
“This was one of our major offseason goals,” said general manager John Schneider said. “Even when we were playing during the playoffs and we were making that run, it was all about trying to reward our own guys. Earl was one of the first guys we drafted, is playing at an extremely high level and we wanted to be able to reward him for all that he’s accomplished so far.”
During Earl’s four-year tenure in Seattle, the Hawks have made a jump in their total defense ranking each season from 27th when he was a rookie in 2010 all the way to No. 1 last season. He also hasn’t missed a single start in his four-year career.
Last year was a banner campaign for Earl. The former Texas Longhorn set career highs in combined tackles (105), solo tackles (78), forced fumbles (2) and tied his career mark with five interceptions.
So happy to see a Seattle sports star come up as a rookie and develop an amazing contract IN SEATTLE. We love you Earl! This is well deserved and every single 12 has something to be happy about today!
So happy to see you rewarded for your hard work, leadership and consistency you bring to the Hawks! You deserve it all, and 12s are so happy you are staying in the NW! Big congrats party for Earl soon
Congrats again you deserve it all
Respect what you do. You give kids in the inner city a hope!
So uncredibly awesome!! Glad to see you get your justly deserved money and that you are going to be with us for the long haul. 12’s love you E.T. And always will. …
there’s a great song for how your fans are feeling. . . It’s called “Happy! “
Nice!!!!!!!!!
So excited for you Earl! You’re one of the best players to watch on the football field. You deserve every penny of this contract. Here’s to four more amazing (And perhaps championship?) years!
Glad you are staying in Seattle long term, the defense is always better when you are there. Please don’t lose that chip on your shoulder and looking forward to seeing a lot of highlights. Don’t forget to hit he streets with free safety advice!
Congratulations, Earl,
I am very happy to see you get recognized by the Hawks as the best safety in the NFL and proving it by paying you like it…
Looking forward to seeing you playing for the Seahawks for a very, very long time…
You make those around you better by leading by example and what a fine example you are…
Go Hawks!
Right on, I can buy a #29 Jersey now! Congrats Earl, you’re a stud.
Your fans in Orange have never doubted that you are the best. Go Earl.
I am hoping my kids will get me a jersey for Mother’s Day Good job Earl.
So excited for what this means for Hawks, and so excited for what this means for your family!
This is one of the greatest competitors to ever throw on a jersey. High f’n motor. Never stops. Mixed with God given talent. #heartofachampiion #moderndaygladiator
@Earl_Thomas29 In Psalms David says “I run to meet my foe.’ That’s what you do bro — run to meet your foe — at 4.3 speed. Keep it up!