Polestar portraits with American football player Solomon Thomas
From Friday night lights to stage lights, professional football player Solomon Thomas has two big passions in life: football and musicals. With Polestar 3, he makes sure to get a dose of each.
Solomon is a professional athlete who's played defensive tackle in the highest league in American football for coming up on eight years. For many Americans, including himself, he has the dream job. “It's been a great journey, a dream come true. One that I’ve worked for my whole life, and you know, keep living every day,” he says humbly.
His journey to this point started in Dallas, Texas, when he and his family moved to a small town named Coppell when Solomon was in 4th grade. In Texas, football is a huge deal and it didn’t take long for coaches to see the potential in 10-year-old Solomon.
Much like in the movie, football is the way of life in Texas, and when Friday night finally came around, the whole town of Coppell filled its stadium to watch its home team play.
I'm a guy who loves to uplift my teammates, to give the guys hope.
Love of the game
Solomon did not need much convincing. From an early age, he was sold on the fast-paced, action-packed sport. “What I love most about football is how it reveals your character. It shows who you are,” he comments. “I think it shows who you are as a man, as a human being, as a teammate.”
It's the gift that keeps on giving. “I can intentionally learn more about myself by working at this game, and perfecting my craft, by trying to be creative and find different ways to get better,” he says.
Over the years, football has taught Solomon what it is to be a leader, how to inspire others, and how to keep spirits high. Crucial skills in a sport that is as mentally demanding as it is physical. “I'm a guy who loves to uplift my teammates, to give the guys hope, and remind them to not look too far in the future or the past but to hold on to the present moment.”
I believe applying my love for the things outside the game to the game of football has made me better.
Solomon’s second big love: musicals
Broadway is the symbol of New York City’s performing arts scene and a cornerstone of the country’s cultural heritage. For decades, Broadway has produced iconic musicals and plays that have shaped American theatre and springboarded the term into our globally shared cultural vocabulary. Broadway means the very best.
Having this quintessential cultural institution within commuting distance has been major for a dedicated musical lover like Solomon. Even before the family moved to Texas, Solomon and his sister enjoyed going to the local theatre school in their hometown, and they continued to do so in Coppell, Texas, as well. But with great talent comes tough decisions. Eventually, Solomon would have to choose between the arts and football due to conflicting schedules. He chose football but never lost his love for theatre.
During his time in New York, he re-kindled his love for theatre. At the time of writing, Solomon has seen MJ the Musical on Broadway five times (and counting). He even brought his teammates to a show.
These two big loves, which at first glance seem like polar opposites, aren't as different after all. Not to Solomon, at least. The way the actors fully commit to a character has inspired him in how he prepares mentally for game night. “It's really helped me understand the mental side of football, that of being able to get into the zone. To get into character,” he explains. “I believe applying my love for the things outside the game to the game of football has made me better.”
Connecting the two
The time Solomon spends in his car is usually reserved for recovery or transitioning between mindsets. For Solomon, it’s an important part of his routine, whether it's transitioning between the mindset of being a good partner and being the best teammate he can be – and back. “Whenever I get into my car I take a few breaths, breathe in, breathe out. Get my anxieties out, so I can go home and be present,” he explains.
Solomon also commutes between his two big loves: the football field and the Broadway theatre halls. The car that takes him from New Jersey to Manhattan, New York City is, of course, the sports car-like SUV, Polestar 3.
The electric SUV has enough range to connect both of Solomon's passions, so he doesn’t have to choose. Now, if you’re reading this and your interests are as diverse as those of an American football star, check out all that Polestar 3 can do here.
You can also watch our previous episodes of the Polestar portraits series on our YouTube channel.
