Colts safety Rodney Thomas II’s dad is ‘indicted for killing a beloved Pennsylvania bald eagle with an air rifle’ – faces $5,000 fine and one year in jail

The father of sophomore Indianapolis Colts cornerback Rodney Thomas II allegedly  ‘shot at and fatally wounded’ a bald eagle. 

According to the New York Post, Rodney Thomas Sr. – whose son was a seventh-round pick by Indy in 2022 – was indicted by Pittsburgh’s federal grand jury on the grounds of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

Enacted in 1940, those without specialized permits cannot ‘pursue, shoot at, poison, wound kill, capture… or disturb’ America’s inaugural national animal. 

Thomas Sr. reportedly handed himself in to authorities after allegedly mortally wounding the bird in Mount Pleasant, PA. on May 12. Per the Post, authorities took two months to make public the charges and man accused to have committed a crime. 

Notwithstanding the potential of a year’s imprisonment, Thomas has reportedly been released on bail — at the cost of $10,00. A $5,000 is also a possible outcome, if found guilty. 

The Bald Eagle is protected from being shot at, wounded or killed unless a permit is held

Pittsburgh U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan told the Post his office would continue to focus on the protection of bald eagles and see to it those who harm them receive punishment. 

‘This office remains committed to investigating and prosecuting environmental and wildlife offenses under federal law, including the unlawful killing of bald eagles — the United States’ national bird since 1782,’ he told the outlet.

Thomas II was taken by the Colts with the 239th overall pick in the ’22 NFL Draft out of Yale. 

The 25-year-old played four seasons of college football at the Ivy League school.

He was the first Bulldogs player to be selected in the Draft since Foyesade Oluokun in 2018. Only six players have been drafted out of Yale since 1982.