“I had to pick between theatre and football”: Solomon Thomas risks NFL reputation with bold Broadway debut in MJ the Musical after Dallas Cowboys minicamp | NFL News
Fans of Solomon Thomas were in for a surprise this offseason. The defensive tackle recently signed a two-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys just over three months ago. Since then, he has made headlines,not only for his strong presence at practice but also for something completely unexpected. A photo of Solomon Thomas in a Broadway outfit surfaced online, and fans were confused. Was this real? What was he doing on stage in New York? The story behind it mixes football, childhood dreams, and a very busy summer.
Solomon Thomas performs live in MJ the Musical after minicamp ends
After the Dallas Cowboys concluded their required minicamp on Thursday June 11, 2025, Solomon Thomas got out of town and on a plane to New York City. Less than a few hours into that trip, he started rehearsing for his Broadway debut. The performance was to be Friday, June 12, 2025, at a theater in Manhattan, and he was a performer in MJ the Musical – a show about Michael Jackson’s life. The performance represented a goal for Solomon Thomas, as he loved theater when he was younger. He said, “I was always doing plays in school. I had to pick between theater and football in my first year of high school. I chose football.” Although football continued to be his career and passion, Solomon Thomas also had an interest in the theatre world. During his time with the New York Jets from 2022 to 2024, Thomas met some people in New York who were also involved with Broadway, establishing friendships, partnerships and opportunities, including speaking at the Tony Awards, an experience which helped Solomon Thomas develop a pathway into his performance in MJ the Musical (which Thomas had seen six times previously).
Solomon Thomas credits New York journey for this special moment
Solomon Thomas told reporters that his final Broadway performance was meant to be a goodbye gift from the people he met during his time in New York. “It was a short three years, but it meant a lot,” Soloman Thomas said. “They told me, ‘We want to celebrate your time here.’”He called sharing the stage “an honor” and said, “They didn’t have to let me up there, but they did.” Solomon Thomas also took his girlfriend and his Jets teammates to the musical during HBO’s Hard Knocks filming in 2023. His passion for theater, mixed with football pressure, created a rare and exciting moment for fans.
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