Michael Thomas (wide receiver, born 1993)
A wide receiver who redefined possession play, setting a single-season catch record with almost robotic consistency and fierce competitiveness.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American football player·Birthday: March 3·Millennials
Biography
Michael Thomas arrived in the NFL with a chip on his shoulder, a second-round pick out of Ohio State who felt overlooked. With the New Orleans Saints, he quickly forged an identity as 'Can't Guard Mike,' a receiver whose route-running was less about flash and more about surgical precision. His connection with quarterback Drew Brees became the league's most reliable short-to-intermediate passing game, a clock-chewing machine built on trust and timing. The 2019 season was his masterpiece, a year of historical volume where he seemed to catch everything thrown near him, breaking a long-standing receptions record. His style was a throwback—physical, demanding, and rooted in a work ethic that turned him into the engine of one of football's most potent offenses.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Michael was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Michael Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Michael's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Set the NFL single-season record for receptions with 149 catches in 2019.
- Named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year for the 2019 season.
- Led the NFL in receptions in both 2018 and 2019, and in receiving yards in 2019.
- Earned three Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro honors.
Did You Know?
His signature touchdown celebration, a ball-spike into a crossbar, is called 'The Griddy.'
He played safety for his first two seasons at Ohio State before switching to wide receiver.
Thomas is the nephew of former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson.
He famously tweets 'Cheug Life' as a personal mantra, representing his focused, old-school approach.
“They pay me to practice. The game is just a show for what I do during the week.”
