Bleacher Report Story on Phillip Thomas Taken Down, Fake Account Quoted

| Nov 19, 2011 | Comments 6

Update: Sunday, 12:04p. Bleacher Report has taken down its original story quoting Philip Thomas. B/R believes the response by “Thomas” came from a fake Facebook account impersonating the safety. Below is the piece The Fizz ran yesterday concerning the original story and the quote in question. It certainly seemed bizarre at the time, considering it brings up the possibility of Thomas playing professional baseball. The Fizz, however, stands by this item: “A source close to Thomas tells The Fizz the safety has looked into playing elsewhere, and a potential landing place could be Delaware.” That is information culled separately from the Bleacher Report story. 

* * *

The slide of Syracuse football continues off the field. Phillip Thomas has been suspended for a year due to violations of athletic department rules. Thomas, a key member of an already ailing secondary, will miss the remainder of this season with the Orange. Thomas told Andy Pregler of Bleacher Report he actually may look into turning pro or playing baseball.

“I say the drug test reports (are) false, and I will be heading to the NFL Draft. Also, may do a little something with the MLB. I am friends with DeSean Jackson, and I already talked to him, so I know I’m going to be fine.”
A source close to Thomas also tells The Fizz the safety has looked into playing elsewhere, and a potential landing place could be Delaware. Although the reasons for Thomas’s suspension have not been officially disclosed, many have speculated it’s due to a failed drug test. Phillip maintains the drug test results are “false” and has been wrongly accused. To help drive home that point, he has elicited the support of the SU community grassroots-style by starting a Facebook-like page entitled “Let Phillip Thomas Play! We Need Another W.”
Phil’s tenure with the Orange may be over, considering he is a junior and this suspension may only be lifted by this time next season. This is not the first Thomas has mentioned his pro prospects. He’s been vocal about his NFL intentions and has mentioned he has received unofficial looks from the Redskins and Eagles among other teams. 
Phillip’s absence makes the task of becoming bowl eligible even tougher for this year’s secondary. Thomas leads the team in tackles with 82 through 10 games, and also leads the Big East with 6 interceptions. He’s been the most consistent playmaker on the defensive side of the ball all season. Doug Marrone has always been tough on discipline and accountability in his program. But losing a player of Thomas’ caliber for an entire calendar year is difficult to swallow. At a time when the team needs leadership, a leader has been sent packing.
  • Listen to Fizz Radio every Saturday morning on the Score 1260 in Syracuse
Posted: Jake Moskowitz
Photo Cred: Shutterstock.com

Filed Under: Featured • Football

Tags: • • • • •

RSSComments (6)

Leave a Reply | Trackback URL

  1. mdb80 says:
    November 20, 2011 at 12:51 am

    lol stop talking to fake twitter accounts lol.

    awesome stuff fizz

    let me set up a pthomas twitter and i’ll give you great quotes…he is actually signing with chelsea next week.

  2. Terry says:
    November 20, 2011 at 4:45 pm

    This is why HCDM gives me a headache. OK Thomas is history. His quality isn’t all that great as a team wise situation other than depth. Why not tell us why he’s history. This CIA BS is nothing but crap and it will lose us recruits. It might have already.

  3. mdb80 says:
    November 20, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    this is why the fizz gives people headaches

    real journalism is important, facebook/twitter are not journalistic tools

  4. D.A. says:
    November 21, 2011 at 10:32 am

    Thanks for reading mdb80. Understand the frustration about the story. But we didn’t quote the Facebook account as real – in the story we attributed it to Bleacher Report – which did not specify the quote was from a Facebook account. B/R has a pretty good reputation, so I certainly felt it was worth noting that a media outlet quoted Philip Thomas about his drug test. You can disagree, but I felt it was newsworthy – but we also only cited that this is what one site was reporting, not what the Fizz was reporting.
    -DA

  5. mdb80 says:
    November 21, 2011 at 11:12 am

    oh you just quoted the people that quoted a fake account.

    typical fizz reporting

    Some people have good reps at BR but overall their reputation is terrible and taking quotes from facebook/twitter is a terrible practice.

    BR isn’t a media outlet its a blog run by fans lol.

    dont tell us you didnt report it you posted it on your twitter and its in the article above…..but it is up your alley DA. I mean admit it you do a lot of twitter/facebook ‘reporting’ which is not a ‘media outlet’ lol.

  6. D.A. says:
    November 21, 2011 at 11:19 am

    Is this typical mdb80 Monday morning angst or are you PO’d b/c of the football slide and Fine allegations. Because we all are big guy, we all are. The original story cites: “Thomas told Andy Pregler of Bleacher Report…” Not sure of the confusion for ya there. Seems pretty clear to me. But then again, I’m POd about a potential 5-7 football team so I could be a little off my rocker right now. You need me to send you a Teach Me How To Dougie shirt, don’t ya? They ARE 100% cotton.

Leave a Reply