Starling Thomas V loves everything about football. The smell of the grass, the feeling that comes across his body every time he catches the football, how he locks in each time he laces up the cleats. Football has always been there for the Cardinals cornerback.
But the game is also where the second-year player received the worst news possible.
During his freshman season at UAB, on the road against Texas A&M, Thomas played his best game. As he was walking off the field, thrilled with his performance, Thomas was pulled to the side and told that his mother, Stephanie Williams, lost her battle to breast cancer during the game.
"I just broke down crying and I couldn't believe it because I just saw her the day before and told her that I was going to be back," Thomas said. "It took a toll on me. But at least she left me while I was doing something that I love to do and that she loved watching me do."
Williams was diagnosed during Thomas' senior year of high school. Only given six months to live from doctors, Williams ended up surviving for a year-and-a-half. Her determination has been a driving force for Thomas in his NFL career.
The Cardinals plucked the undrafted rookie off the waiver wire last season. Ultimately earning a starting role midway through the season, Thomas had 38 tackles and five pass deflections.
Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort upgraded the position with the addition of Sean Murphy-Bunting and three cornerbacks in the draft. Still, Thomas has earned first-team reps in training camp along with rookie Max Melton when the team plays nickel (with Murphy-Bunting and Garrett Williams the other two.)
Molded by his past experiences, Thomas was built for the challenge to claw his way onto the 53-man roster.
"That's where my fight comes from and it's being able to show that I belong here," Thomas said. "I'm just glad my mom's wings carry me through this daily battle. Everything I do, I just try to do right and make her proud."
If perseverance was a person, it'd be Thomas. In 2019, his second year at UAB, Thomas tore his ACL. Yet he didn't miss the season, not even missing a game. He put a brace on his knee and played in eight consecutive games with the injury.
"I'm a fighter, bro," Thomas said. "When they told me that it was torn, I told them that I worked too hard for it to be taken away that easy. Whatever I got to do, I'm going to go out there and do it."
Thomas had a solid support group in college, a family-like atmosphere helping propel him through the hard times. His whirlwind rookie beginnings, with an offseason with the Lions before being claimed by the Cards, meant the Alabama native had to mesh on the fly.
Cardinals safety Budda Baker, a captain who saw a need, invited Thomas over to his house to celebrate Thanksgiving.
"I know a lot of the rookies don't have their families, so for me, it was just a matter of inviting those guys over if they needed a house to stay at and just be with my family, eat good food, and have good family time on Thanksgiving," Baker said. "I love that guy. He's a very hard worker, controls what he can control, and plays football at a high level."
The duo have spent chunks of the offseason working out together. Baker said their on-field communication skills have increased. Their competitive nature has also shined throughout offseason work.
"In the weight room or even outside the weight room when we're doing field sprints, we talk a little smack to each other," Baker said. "You're going to be faster? No, I'm going to be faster. We're just having a good time competing and that's what you want to do with your brothers."
Thomas was a sprinter in high school and his quickness on the field allows him to close out on receivers that are downfield. It'll be a critical aspect of his game as he competes for snaps.
But there's a meaningful reason that gives him a boost, both on and off the field.
"My mom is the one that helps me run fast," Thomas said. "Her wings are on my cleats."
