Banged-up Thomas vows to be fearless

PHOENIX – Seahawks All-Pro safety Earl Thomas promises he will play in the Super Bowl and will remain fearless when he gets on the field.

Thomas pronounced his separated left shoulder “pretty good” when the team arrived Sunday for the Super Bowl. He was injured in Seattle’s overtime victory against Green Bay a week ago for the NFC championship. He left the game but returned, and says there is no way he won’t face New England next Sunday.

After delivering a message to U.S. troops that he is “banged-up, just like you guys probably are, and I am going to fight through it,” Thomas relayed a story from when he played Little League.

A ground ball hit him in the mouth and his lip stuck to his braces. His father took Thomas to an emergency room for treatment, and then asked his son if he wanted to go back to the baseball game. His immediate reply was “of course.”

“This is me,” Thomas said. “I love competing. I am just glad we are reliving our dreams. It feels like a movie.”

Seattle’s other All-Pro defensive back, cornerback Richard Sherman, has an elbow injury that he also dismissed as a non-factor for next Sunday.

“Richard practiced in all the practices and he looks to be fine,” coach Pete Carroll said. “He still has an elbow to take care of, but he’s practiced well. Earl practiced (Saturday), the day before and got the last day of practice in and looked fine.”