Cincinnati Bengals safety Michael Thomas may not have the spotlight shine on what he does each week for the Bengals. But ask those from top to bottom in the Bengals organization what Thomas has brought to the team since he arrived last season, and all would agree he's a significant reason special teams and the locker room are some of the best in the NFL.

Thomas grew up in Houston, Texas, with a love of playing sports, especially baseball. However, his father's stories about the game of football quickly turned his attention to the game. When Jim Harbaugh took over at Stanford and called, Thomas soon realized how much he could receive from trading the game for an education that would serve him after the cheering stopped.

While the NFL didn't knock down his door, Thomas found his former college coach willing to give him another opportunity with the San Francisco 49ers. Soon the Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Houston Texans, and Bengals would follow, bringing Thomas back to another of his coaches, Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

Anarumo knew Thomas was a guy the Bengals needed in their locker room, and he quickly became one of the leaders on a team that surprised many by reaching the Super Bowl.

Get In The Trenches with Dave Lapham, presented by First Star Logistics, as we welcome Michael J. Thomas.