Rickey Thenarse, a former Nebraska football player who briefly signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2011, was shot in the abdomen in South Los Angeles last Friday and transported to a hospital for emergency surgery. He is expected to recover.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation. Sources familiar with the matter have indicated the incident may be connected to a personal dispute involving Thenarse, his girlfriend, and the father of her child. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a man and a woman flee the area in a black SUV shortly after the shooting. No arrests have been made and detectives are continuing their work.
A high school standout who chose Nebraska over USC and UCLA
Thenarse grew up in Los Angeles and attended Jordan High School, where he developed into one of the more decorated prep prospects in the country. As a senior, he carried the ball 112 times for 1,344 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 19 receptions for 628 yards and five more scores through the air. He earned first-team all-city and all-state recognition and was ranked the 94th overall prospect in the nation by ESPN.
His junior season had already put him on the national radar, with more than 1,200 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns on the ground, and 20 tackles with three interceptions on the defensive side. He was named first-team all-Eastern League that year.
Thenarse chose Nebraska over USC and UCLA, turning down additional offers from California, Colorado, Fresno State, Oregon, and Washington before arriving in Lincoln as a four-star recruit.
Five seasons with the Cornhuskers
Thenarse appeared in 51 games for Nebraska between 2006 and 2010, a stretch that included a redshirt year in 2009 following an injury. He made his earliest impact on special teams, earning the unit’s MVP award in both 2006 and 2007. As he moved into his upperclassman years, he took on a larger role on the defensive side of the ball.
His college career, while steady, never fully matched the expectations that came with his recruiting profile. He went undrafted when his eligibility expired in 2011.
A brief window in the NFL
Seattle signed Thenarse as an undrafted free agent following the 2011 draft. He participated in training camp with the Seahawks and appeared in three preseason games, recording one tackle. When the team made its final roster cuts before the regular season, Thenarse was among those released. That decision effectively ended his professional football career.
He had spent just enough time in the NFL to demonstrate what he was capable of, but not enough to secure a permanent place on a roster.
Investigation ongoing
As of this writing, no suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the South Los Angeles shooting. Law enforcement sources confirmed that two individuals were seen leaving the scene in a black SUV, but neither has been identified or arrested publicly. The investigation remains open.
Thenarse’s condition, while serious enough to require emergency surgery, has stabilized and he is expected to make a full recovery.
