Louisiana authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of death of Carlos Thomas, father of Bucs inside linebacker Devin White. Thomas was incarcerated at the time of his passing on Thursday.
The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office issued a statement Monday indicating that Thomas, 45, was transported from the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center to the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center after complaints of severe back pain. He suddenly became unresponsive in the ambulance as he was being transported.
Life-saving efforts were conducted by staff at the medical center but unsuccessful, according to the statement.
Thomas had been transported to the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center by the U.S. Marshals Service on Oct. 14 to await trial proceedings stemming from previous federal charges, according to the sheriff’s office. An autopsy is being conducted to verify the cause of his death; the results are pending.
White, who learned of his father’s death while on the team bus to the airport for the Bucs’ flight to Germany, honored his dad with arguably his best game of the season (nine tackles, two sacks, forced fumble) in Sunday’s 21-16 triumph against the Seahawks.
“As the week got going and we had to continue to prepare for the Seahawks, who are a great team, I leaned on just being on the football field,” White said shortly after the game.
“I kind of took that in consideration and being out there with my brothers, that kind of put everything at ease, at least when we were out there. Getting to the hotel and I was back by myself, it was a little tougher, but while I was at practice it was just about doing the correct things to go out and win the football game.”
Speaking Monday on his weekly “Let’s Go!” podcast, quarterback Tom Brady lauded White for his performance amid such grief.
“Just heartbreaking news for everyone, and Devin found a way to show a lot of mental toughness and to compartmentalize a lot of very difficult emotions,” Brady said. “He said after the game, ‘There’s no place I’d rather be than with you guys to celebrate this victory.’ I give him so much credit.”
