Imago
Image Credits: Via X @mymixtapez
Imago
Image Credits: Via X @mymixtapez
Rickey Thenarse, who briefly experienced life in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, was reportedly shot in the stomach in South Los Angeles, according to an exclusive report by TMZ Sports. The former NFL player was reportedly rushed to the hospital for an emergency surgery and is expected to be okay.
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“It’s unclear exactly what led up to the violent incident,” reported TMZ Sports. “But sources tell us Thenarse had been in the middle of a love triangle involving his girlfriend and the father of her child.”
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Former Seahawks safety Rickey Thenarse was shot in L.A. after a dispute.
What we know: https://t.co/MjVF9xP2Ik pic.twitter.com/FS286tYXsX
— TMZ (@TMZ) April 9, 2026
Shortly after the incident, Thenarse managed to get immediate medical care. Given that the gunshot was to the stomach, it did not pose an immediate threat to his life, along with swift hospitalization.
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Although the details of the incident are not out yet, early investigation suggests that a man and a woman were spotted fleeing during the incident in a black SUV. As of now, no arrest has been made, but since the investigation is in progress, more details are expected to come out soon.
Prior to this shooting incident, he was involved in a major legal issue that impacted his life. In early 2015, when his football dream was over, he was embroiled in two different residential burglaries in a span of less than a month. When the evidence matched, he pleaded guilty to the second burglary. At just 27 years old, he was given a sentence of three to six years in prison.
Meanwhile, the 37-year-old had once had a promising career on the gridiron, which ultimately secured him a place in the National Football League.
Rickey Thenarse was picked by the Seattle Seahawks in 2011
Growing up in Los Angeles, Rickey Thenarse finished his schooling at the City of Angels before receiving an opportunity to play for Nebraska in collegiate football. Playing in 51 games, he had 10 starts, spending five seasons from 2006 to 2010.
In his freshman and sophomore years, the safety made a significant impact, earning special team MVP honors in both seasons. Throughout his collegiate years, he recorded a total of 106 tackles along with 2 sacks. After spending half a decade in Nebraska, he won multiple collegiate honors, including the Tom Novak Award and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll in his final season (2010).
In 2011, Thenarse was in the NFL draft, but he failed to attract interest from any team. Later, the Seattle Seahawks signed him as an undrafted free agent. Although he made it to the elite league, he did not make the final roster, as the franchise released him in August, 2011, drawing a curtain to his once-promising NFL dream. Despite failing to make a professional debut, he played three pre-season games, where he recorded a sack.
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Edited by
Antra Koul