Colts safety Rodney Thomas II’s dad is ‘indicted for killing a beloved Pennsylvania bald eagle with an air rifle’ – faces $5,000 fine and one year in jail

The father of sophomore Indianapolis Colts cornerback Rodney Thomas II is said to have “shot at and fatally wounded” a bald eagle.

According to the New York PostRodney Thomas Sr. — whose son was selected by Indy in the seventh round in 2022 — was indicted by the Pittsburgh federal grand jury for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

Enacted in 1940, those without specialized permits cannot “pursue, shoot, poison, injure, capture…or disturb” America’s inaugural national animal.

Thomas Sr. reportedly turned himself in to authorities after fatally wounding the bird in Mount Pleasant, PA. on May 12. According to the Post, it took authorities two months to make public the allegations and the man accused of committing a crime.

Despite the possibility of a year in prison, Thomas has reportedly been released on bail – for a sum of $10.00. A $5,000 is also a possible outcome if found guilty.

The bald eagle is protected from being shot at, injured, or killed unless there is a permit

Pittsburgh U.S. attorney Eric G. Olshan told the Post his office would continue to focus on protecting bald eagles and ensuring that those who harm them are punished.

“This office remains committed to investigating and prosecuting environmental and wildlife crimes under federal law, including the unlawful killing of bald eagles – the national bird of the United States since 1782,” he told the outlet.

Thomas II was taken by the Colts with the 239th overall pick in the ’22 NFL Draft out of Yale.

The 25-year-old played four seasons of college football at the Ivy League school.

He was the first Bulldogs player to be selected in the Draft since Foyesade Oluokun in 2018. Since 1982, only six Yale players have been drafted.