Throughout spring football practice, ODUSports.com will do a Q&A with a member of the ODU Football team. Today's Q&A is with junior linebacker, Richard Thomas.
Q: When did you first start playing football?A: I started playing football when I was in the fourth grade. I started playing Pee Wee football and I just fell in love right out from the get go.
Q: Who influenced you the most in your pursuit of playing the sport?A: My dad. He played college football at North Alabama so he was the one who got me started playing football.
Q: Did anyone in your family play sports other than your father?A: All my uncles played sports like baseball, basketball and football. They played everything.
Q: How is spring practice going for you so far?A: Spring ball is going well so far. I have to adjust to the play calls here after coming from JUCO. But I am having fun competing against all my teammates.
Q: What is it like coming from a junior college to play here at ODU?A: There are a lot of better players here. Plays during practices are a little bit faster, but I am adjusting to it all.
Q: Martez Simpson came from Pearl River as well, what is it like for you to play with a former teammate of yours?A: It is always fun playing with Martez because we have some jokes from junior college, so I always enjoy playing with him.
Q: Have you always played the linebacker position?A: I have always played linebacker in college but in high school I played quarterback mainly.
Q: What has been the most welcoming aspect of the Old Dominion coaches and team?A: From the get go everyone treated me like I was family. Everyone when I see them around school will give me a hi five and say, “What’s up?” and everyone on the football team talks to me a lot.
Q: Why did you choose Old Dominion over other colleges?A: I wanted to get away from home and see new things and I like Rich Nagy a lot so that all had a lot to do it my decision.
Q: What is your favorite food?A: My favorite food to eat I would say is pizza. I love pizza.
Q: What are some of your favorite toppings?A: I like meat lovers and pepperoni.
Q: What is you favorite sports movie?A: Friday Night Lights.
Q: Who is your favorite artist or musical group?A: I like a lot of rap so I would probably have to say the Migos.
Q: If you had a superpower what would you choose and why?A: I would choose the ability to read other peoples minds, that way I could know the offensive play just like that.
Q: If you could travel one place in the world where would you go?A: Any where in the world … I would travel to the islands. The Caribbean or some place like that.
Q: Who is your favorite superhero?A: My favorite superhero Spiderman.
Q: Toby Maguire or Andrew Garfield as spider man?A: I liked Toby Maguire better.
Q: What video game do you and your teammates play when you have time to hang out and relax?A: We like playing the NCAA 2014. We just updated the rosters so we can play as ourselves on the game.