University of Connecticut Athletics
Eli Thomas: An Inspiration to UConn Nation
4/25/2019 2:50:00 PM | Football
Thomas Is Back and Thriving
When it comes to UConn senior linebacker Eli Thomas, if you didn't know, you would never know.
In other words, if you didn't know that Thomas had a hard-to-believe stroke just six months ago, you would never know by talking to him today.
If that doesn't convince you that miracles can happen, how about that fact that Thomas is actually back doing agility drills and weightlifting with his UConn teammates?
Still not sold? Wait a few more months and you might well see Thomas on the field sometime during the 2019 football season.
But for the time being, let's keep it to one miracle at a time.
Thomas certainly did not come to UConn from Lackawanna (Junior) College with the idea of being an inspirational leader, but now he can't possibly avoid it. From waking up after the stroke and not being able to speak a word, to becoming a vocal team captain who is leading his teammates is not only remarkable, but awe-inspiring.
"What Eli did just to get here was unbelievable, in terms of overcoming his knee injury," UConn coach Randy Edsall said. "Then the work he put in, and then you see him go out on the field and play the way he played. Then to suffer the stroke, and you watch the young man work and do everything he can … if he's not an inspiration to each one of his teammates, these guys don't get it.
"He's still recovering, still doing things he has to do from a comprehension standpoint and everything. But just to see him in the weight room and competing. If all those guys can't give the effort he has, then they shouldn't be a part of what's going on. That's the inspiration – to see how much his teammates mean to him, how much this game means to him, how much this university means to him – there's no better inspiration, no better motivation, than having that guy around you."
Senior offensive tackle Matt Peart, a fellow team captain and Thomas' roommate, knows that better than anyone.
"Seeing what he had to go through is not an easy thing to go through," Peart said. "Being able to go to the hospital, though, and seeing a smile on his face and have the doctors say he was tracking on the right path and knowing he was doing better felt great. Then to have him come back, live with us and make a tremendous recovery to the point where he's able to run and lift with us in the weight room is really a testament to him – to his love and passion for the game. It's really and truly an inspiration.
"He chose not to let it break his spirit, he chose to rise up to the occasion and be the same E that we have come to love."
Much of the credit for Thomas' recovery has rightfully been bestowed on the quick response by UConn assistant athletic trainers Tony Salvatore and Caitlyn Van Wie, who immediately recognized the problem last year on Oct. 10 during a team stretch and had an ambulance on the scene in three minutes, to the doctors at Windham Hospital and then Hartford Hospital, where they performed emergency surgery, to the tremendous support he received and continues to receive from his family and friends in his hometown of Elmira, N.Y., as well as his UConn family in Storrs.
But all of their efforts could not have produced this remarkable comeback story without the drive, determination and indomitable spirit of Thomas himself. To listen to the calm manner in which he tells his story, however, one might think he had to deal with a pulled muscle.
"I could understand everything, but I couldn't think of how to answer. It was like I was watching a movie of my life, but I wasn't in it," Thomas said. "I woke up from surgery and my family was there and everybody's crying. And I was like, 'What happened? I'm trying to practice.' I tried to talk and I couldn't say anything at all. I didn't know I had a stroke. I didn't know what a stroke was."
He knows now, but instead of freaking out about his situation or spending time lamenting about how this could possibly happen to a 22-year-old physically fit young man, he has handled the whole thing with an amazing attitude.
"One thing happens and I just keep going, keep pushing," he said. "When life gives you lemons, I make grape juice."
He spent 10 days in the hospital, and another week in a rehab facility, regaining his physical strength and mobility. He moved into his brother's house for a few months to work every day with his sister-in-law, a speech therapist. He received a text from former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, also a stroke victim at 31, who went on to play four more years after his recovery. Bruschi has remained in contact, even coming to UConn practice a few weeks ago.
"He told me to take it day by day," Thomas said. "Be grateful to be alive."
Thomas has taken that to heart, telling his family and friends that he loves them every day, and counting his blessings.
"There's many people who have it way worse than I do,"' he said. "I know a kid who got into a car accident and he can't walk anymore. I'm good. My speech is messed up, but I'm good. I'm still going to classes and playing football."
And he's a UConn captain – a team leader, despite the chance that he might not play another down.
"What I know is that I can be a leader," he said. "I think the way I've been going, people understand, 'Hey, if Eli can come back after three ACLs and a stroke, it's not too bad.' Anything that makes people work, that's all I care about. I don't care if I get zero tackles and zero minutes, if we can get a ring, get some wins, I'll be happy."
So will those around him who have marveled and rejoiced at his progress.
"It's up to the doctors, when that time comes, if he will play again," coach Edsall said. "That's the least of my worries. I want him to continue to stay healthy and get better. If God allows football in his plans, that'll be great. If not, he'll be a success in whatever he does."
Thomas thinks his speech is "still messed up" but unless he tells you that, you couldn't tell. If you didn't know about Eli Thomas' story, you would never know.
He is already a success.
