NFL Draft 2024: Jaguars mom pick Brian Thomas Jr. goes viral for deadpan response after being asked ‘how far family has come’
The mother of new Jaguars draft pick Brian Thomas Jr. was asked “how far” her family had come to reach the NFL draft in Detroit – and she gave an extremely literal answer that has since gone viral.
Thomas Jr., a wide receiver from LSU, was selected No. 23 overall by Jacksonville before his mother, Sondra, spoke to ABC on camera.
“Sondra, how far has this family come?” journalist Laura Rutledge asked her.
“We’re from Baton Rouge, Louisiana,” Sondra deadpanned.
Rutledge quickly moved on to his next question after this slightly awkward moment.
Sondra Thomas gave an extremely deadpan response on national television during the draft
His son, Brian Thomas Jr., was selected No. 23 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jacksonville fell six spots, then drafted Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick, continuing to rely on franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The addition of the 6-foot-3, 209-pound speedster should help offset the loss of Calvin Ridley to division rival Tennessee in free agency and give the Jaguars a chance to have a legitimate No. 1 receiver for the first time times since Jimmy Smith retired after the 2005 season.
Thomas led the Bowl Subdivision with 17 receiving touchdowns last season. He finished with 68 catches for 1,177 yards, averaging 17.3 yards per reception and 34.9 yards on his 17 scores.
Thomas Jr. wore a gray suit, silver chain, bow tie and sunglasses to his big draft night in Detroit.
“Just my ability to use my speed and get open and create space on defenders,” Thomas said after being picked. “I would say it’s an important role that I played.”
Thomas joins a position group that includes Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and Zay Jones. No one would be surprised to see the newcomer become Lawrence’s go-to man at some point, perhaps even in 2024.
“It’s a stacked coin,” Thomas said. “I just want to go in there and work and learn from all these guys and be the best I can be and work hard and do the things I can do best and put in the work and see where the work takes me.”
