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One of the greatest things about sports is the possibility of becoming beloved for reasons that make no real impact on the world.
Twenty years from now Syracuse football fans will more than likely remember the Doug Marrone years fondly, and in those memories there will be the sound of those bone-crushing hits by safety Shamarko Thomas.
In retrospect, every time we think of Thomas we will think of the alien-like being, The Predator, because of his dreadlocks sticking out from behind his helmet and the from-another-planet-like athletic ability.
On Monday, at the 2013 NFL Combine, Thomas (5'9, 213 pounds) created more evidence that he is in fact, possibly, from a different planet by bench pressing 225 pounds a whopping 28 times, the best total out of any defensive back in Indianapolis.
All-time, Thomas' performance ranks in a tie for third all-time with former Oklahoma St. Cowboy Lucien Antoine among defensive backs. Former USC Trojon Kevin Ellison owns the DB record of 32, while former Mississippi Rebel Jamarca Sanford has the second-best total of 29.
On Tuesday, Thomas will get a chance to run the 40-yard dash (around 11:15-11:30 a.m.) and participate in all the defensive back drills.
If you get a chance you might want to tune in because this could be the best combine performance by any Syracuse football player ever.