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'Terminated': Player axed after punching teammate in training

yahoo sports staff
·2-min read
The Baltimore Ravens have released safety Earl Thomas, after the NFL veteran reportedly punched a teammate during training. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Baltimore Ravens have released safety Earl Thomas, after the NFL veteran reportedly punched a teammate during training. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Baltimore Ravens are done with safety Earl Thomas. The Ravens released Thomas for conduct detrimental to the team Sunday.

The decision comes a day after Thomas, 31, got into a fight with safety Chuck Clark at practice. Following that practice, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said the altercation between Clark and Thomas lasted too long.

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There are rumours Thomas wasn’t the most popular player in the team’s locker room.

Those rumours appear to be accurate, as team leadership reportedly backed the decision to get rid of Thomas.

“We have terminated S Earl Thomas’ contract for personal conduct that has adversely affected the Baltimore Ravens,” the team said in a short statement.

Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh was later asked about Thomas’ release from the team, but said only that the statement ‘speaks for itself’.

Thomas signed a four-year, $55 million deal with the Ravens in 2019. He’s owed $10 million in 2020, but the team may avoid paying that salary since it released Thomas due to conduct detrimental to the team. There will likely be a grievance filed.

Adam Schefter reported Sunday the Ravens would either release or trade Thomas.

Earl Thomas III, left, and Chuck Clark, right, are pictured during the Baltimore Ravens' training camp.
Earl Thomas III (L) and Chuck Clark train during the Baltimore Ravens training camp on August 18, 2020 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

In a scenario where the Ravens were able to trade Thomas, the Dallas Cowboys were considered the leading contender to acquire him, according to Schefter. In the past, Thomas has expressed interest in signing with Dallas.

Now that Thomas will be a free agent, the Cowboys are free to sign Thomas to a new contract.

Contrite Earl Thomas wishes Ravens ‘all the best’

Thomas, who remains one of the NFL’s most highly rated safeties despite his personal troubles, took to Instagram after his release, in which he thanked the Ravens for giving him an opportunity to play.

The 31-year-old said he wished things had ‘ended different’.

“Appreciate the Ravens organisation for the opportunity,” he posted.

“Had a great run .. Wish things would have ended different [sic] but you live and you learn. Thank you Eric DeCosta and everyone else who played a role in bringing me to B-more.

“Wish you guys the best.”