Elusive Teddy Thomas opens up on media, attention and fatherhood
There are very few rugby players who open up so honestly. And frankly, it was unlikely that Teddy Thomas would. Avoiding the spotlight and the media, journalists’ questions and interaction with fans has been part of his daily routine for most of his career. He has got people used to it, which has not failed to fuel a certain hostility towards him.
But this time, facing Mathieu Bastareaud, 28-capped Thomas drops his armour.
Invited to take part in an exceptional seventh episode of the BastaShow – to be watched exclusively on the RugbyPassFR YouTube channel – the 30-year-old player from La Rochelle spoke out at length.
He no longer responds to media requests
Why such silence from the media? “It’s something I’m trying to protect myself from,” he replies before continuing.
Thomas has been in the spotlight from the start. His first test at the age of 19 was against Fiji in 2014, scoring a hat-trick in front of 45,300 spectators at Marseille’s Velodrome. It’s a hell of a start to a career. Who was this UFO?
“When I was 19, I was sent in front of all the journalists to put myself at the top of the charts. I was the new icon of French rugby. I certainly played two good games and scored four tries, but I wasn’t prepared for that,” he admits.
He celebrates his tries in a very personal way, he was nicknamed ‘the American’ when he played at Biarritz (for eight years), and this fashion convert has never gone unnoticed. You’d think he’d always sought it out. But somewhere along the line, he always regretted it.
Whether with the French national team, Biarritz, Racing 92 or now La Rochelle, requests for interviews often go unanswered.
“At the time when I was still at Racing, we had a bit of freedom to decide whether we wanted to be in the media or not. And I always refused,” he says.
“Sometimes, from an interview, they’d pull out a little line and turn it into a headline, and sometimes it meant absolutely nothing.
“Today it’s complicated with social medias and open days for the media in clubs. I admit that I do as little as possible. Not out of disrespect for the journalist who comes along, but I don’t want my words to be distorted, for people to take me for someone I’m not; I’ve suffered a lot from that in the past, particularly when I was first selected.
“The world of professionalism forces you to meet everyone’s expectations, to say what needs to be said to the person who wants to hear it, and in the end to depend on people and forget the person you are. That’s what bothers me: feeling obliged to do and say things because someone tells me it’s a good thing to do.”
Running away
He grew up with social media, but soon turned his back on it. His Twitter account? It’s managed by someone else. His Instagram account? He blocks comments. Wherever he can, he deploys his Teflon shell.
“When I was young, of course I read what was said about me. But when I really got a kick out of it, I stopped,” he tells in the BastaShow.
“Sometimes what happens on the socials is hard. It’s a real plague in sport and life in general. I don’t interact with fans because I get more insults than positive messages.
“But I’ve learnt from my mistakes. I’ve learnt that it’s not just people who want to hurt you. Before, I’d get angry right away because I felt like people were insulting you for 80 minutes and then when you left the stadium, it was the same people asking you for photos. I put everyone in the same basket. I got very, very angry very quickly.
“When people put labels on you, it’s complicated to take them off. No matter how hard you try, it’s over. I live with it and today I’m very happy, I’m very fulfilled. But I can’t wait to get out of the media spotlight.”
Seeing a psychologist
Teddy Thomas claims to have come out of this vicious circle. But he didn’t do it alone. “I went to see a psychologist”, he reveals.
“I went to ask for comfort and help from a professional. It’s often taboo to say you’re seeing a psychologist, but if they’re there, it’s because they’re good for something. She helped me a lot in terms of taking out the positive rather than the negative and moving on. More than once I could have given up and said I’m done. Do a normal job where nobody knows me anymore and I’d be just as happy.”
The fact that he has come out of it is also thanks to “family, friends and the love I have for this sport, because I’ve been doing it since I was a kid. I love being out on the pitch, I love playing rugby. That’s what keeps me going.”
He never knew his father
He never knew his father and wanted more than anything to become one, and the arrival of little Théodore has changed his life forever.
“It’s a lot of happiness, a lot of joy, to love someone you don’t know, who comes into your life after nine months; you’re 100% devoted to this little bundle of joy,” he smiles.
“I’ve always wanted to be a father because I’ve never had one; I’ve always had this lack of fatherhood. I wanted to give something back that I didn’t have.”
For some time now, Teddy Thomas has been patiently picking up the pieces of his life, a mosaic of multiple origins – Parisian, Malian, Basque.
“I never got to know African culture because I never knew my father. I don’t know the African part of my family. I only know the French part of the family, Clichy-sous-Bois.
“Today, my priority is my job, my family, my son, my wife, everything that’s going on around me. There are so many serious things in life that when you look into the eyes of your child, who is laughing and smiling, you tell yourself that you have to keep things in perspective.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments