"Often Knocked Down But Never Out, Starling Thomas V Continues To Fight"

The text below is a partial version of this article from Zach Gershman for azcardinals.com from July 31st. 

Aside from the fact that Thomas played his high school ball at Ramsay and his university ball at UAB, the Birmingham native was also a draft pick of the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL's 2023 college draft. Presumably that still holds now that the USFL and XFL have merged into the UFL. 

Regardless, Thomas has some business to take care of in Arizona first. 

...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.

...

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V covers New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave during an NFL preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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."

...

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."

"Fire's McGowan a Small Wonder"

The article below, about Birmingham Fire linebacker Paul McGowan, is from the April 8th, 1992, edition of the Birmingham Post-Herald.

I was very pleased to come across this article. McGowan was a big part of my becoming a fan of the Fire in 1991. His biographical information doesn't tend to mention it, but he played with my hometown Ottawa Rough Riders prior to joining Birmingham.

Having that familiar face on the roster drew me to following the Fire instead of the Montreal Machine, even though that team played just a couple of hours down the road.

It's funny to read about McGowan maintaining that he is six feet tall as other guys tease him about his height, or lack thereof. The gentleman who issued the CFL's Jogo cards either agreed that it was plausible, or was kind enough to play along, because that's the exact height listed on the back of McGowan's. 

Wikipedia, meanwhile, has him at 6'2".

Following the Fire's demise, McGowan continued to play for several years with the Arena League's Orlando Predators.  

Sept 3rd: "Gates Earns SWAC Football Weekly Honor"

A Birmingham native was named his Conference's Special Teams Player of the Week following the Alabama State's season opening game against North Carolina Central.  

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Alabama State's AJ Gates was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for Sept. 3, 2024.

Gates had two kickoff returns for 89 yards and one touchdown against North Carolina Central at the Orange Blossom Classic. Trailing 21-0, the Birmingham, Ala., native returned kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown to get the Hornets on the scoreboard.

Gates also had four carries for 10 yards and caught one pass on the afternoon.

In 2023, Gates played in five contests, catching 10 passes for 64 yard and a touchdown. He also rushed 14 times for 50 yards and returned two kicks for 55 yards with a long of 33. He played his high school ball at Mountain Brook.