Dolphins' Michael Thomas tears up responding to Trump comments

So much talk within the current NFL-political climate has centered on so-called entitled, millionaire athletes, and yet as responses from players roll in, there’s been no shortage of considerate reactions.

Take the words of Dolphins’ safety Michael Thomas after Miami’s 20-6 loss to the Jets on Sunday.

What starts off as a light-hearted critique of an increasingly complicated landscape quickly bounces from the state of global politics to the example Thomas wants to set for his daughter.

“I’m not going to tell you my first thoughts,” Thomas says with a smile before collecting himself. It only took him a few sentences to get to his real thoughts.

Not only is he bothered by Trump’s decision to insult protesting NFL players, Thomas seems bewildered that something like football would upset the leader of the free world at all.

“As somebody in the NFL who is one of those ‘sons of bitches’,” Thomas continued, “Yeah I take it personally. But it’s bigger than me. I’ve got a daughter. She’s going to have to live in this world. I’m going to do whatever I’ve got to do.”

It didn’t take Thomas long to start choking up after that. And that had nothing to do with how much money he earns, or the city he lives in, or the respect of his peers. He was speaking as a concerned citizen with a focus on his family’s future. You can disagree with his position, but there’s no doubting the sincerity. Not when his voice breaks. Not when he makes himself vulnerable. Not when his livelihood is potentially on the line.

– – – – – –

Blake Schuster is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at blakeschuster@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Schustee