This Colt’s dad apparently has a grudge against the Eagles.
The Pennsylvania man accused of shooting to death a beloved bald eagle in a Pittsburgh suburb in May has been identified as the father of Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas II, records show.
The elder Rodney Thomas, 50, of Canonsburg, PA, was indicted by a Pittsburgh federal grand jury in violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the US Attorney’s Office announced this week.
Thomas surrendered himself to authorities shortly after allegedly blasting the bird to death May 12 with an air rifle in Mount Pleasant, PA, but authorities waited more than two months before releasing his name or charges. Mount Pleasant residents were outraged by the foot-dragging.
The doomed eagle was one of two that nested for nearly two decades in the area.
One couple told The Post that locals named the majestic bird “Sam,” after the character in Disney’s Muppet Vision 3D.
Thomas II, 25, was a standout at Yale University and was picked by the Colts in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
He had a productive rookie season — despite the club’s horrid 4-12-1 record, which included a 17-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Thomas was released on $10,000 bail and faces up to $5,000 in fines and a year behind bars. The Colts and Rodney Thomas II declined comment.
“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,” Pittsburgh U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan said.
