In an unprecedented intersection of sports and the arts, Solomon Thomas — a powerful defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys — is preparing for an unforgettable moment under the bright lights of Broadway. While most NFL stars are spending their offseason focusing on conditioning drills or film study, Thomas is about to swap shoulder pads for stage lights as he makes his theatrical debut in MJ the Musical, the Tony Award-winning production celebrating the life and legacy of Michael Jackson.
It’s the kind of crossover that feels almost cinematic: an NFL lineman stepping into the world of Broadway, not as a novelty act, but as a genuine contributor to one of the most acclaimed musicals on stage today. The performance is set for June 13, 2025, at the historic Neil Simon Theatre in New York City, and it marks a watershed moment for Thomas, the theater world, and the ever-evolving role of athletes in broader cultural spaces.
A New Role for No. 94
Solomon Thomas is no stranger to pressure. He’s battled in the trenches of the NFL for years, first with the San Francisco 49ers, then the New York Jets, and now with the Cowboys. Known for his intelligence, work ethic, and grit, Thomas has never been content with merely existing in the role of an athlete. His heart and mind have always pulled him toward more.
So when the opportunity arose for a cameo role in MJ the Musical, he embraced it with the same seriousness and preparation he brings to game day. His appearance won’t involve singing or dancing — rather, it’s a special walk-on role meant to honor his love of the arts and shine a light on his passion for mental health advocacy. Still, even a moment on Broadway requires poise, presence, and performance — and Thomas is determined to deliver.
“I’m nervous, I won’t lie,” Thomas recently told reporters. “But this is something I’ve dreamed about. Broadway represents imagination and heart. I think there’s something beautiful about stepping into a different world and just… expressing. It’s a lot like football in that way — you’ve got to show up, be vulnerable, and give everything you’ve got.”
The Making of a Broadway Buff
This debut has been years in the making. During his three-year stint with the New York Jets, Thomas fell deeply in love with Broadway, often spending off-days and evenings watching musicals. He was especially drawn to MJ the Musical, a production that examines the King of Pop not just as a musical icon but as a complex artist struggling with fame, family, and the perfectionism that fueled his genius.
Thomas reportedly saw the show six times during his tenure in New York and became something of an ambassador for Broadway within the Jets locker room. “I took as many guys as I could,” he said. “Some of them didn’t know what to expect, but once you’re in that room and the music starts, it’s impossible not to be moved.”
One of those outings was even featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks, with cameras capturing Thomas explaining the plot of the musical and passionately describing why theater moved him in a way nothing else could. It wasn’t long before producers of MJ the Musical took notice.
“We were blown away by Solomon’s enthusiasm for the arts,” said producer Lia Vollack. “He’s not just a fan — he’s a student of storytelling. When the idea came up for a special cameo appearance, we knew there was no one more deserving.”
More Than Entertainment: A Platform for Advocacy
But for Thomas, this performance is about more than just checking off a bucket-list item. It’s part of his broader mission to break down stereotypes and use his platform for good. In 2018, Thomas suffered the most devastating loss of his life when his sister, Ella, died by suicide. Her death rocked his world and ignited in him a lifelong dedication to mental health advocacy.
That same year, Thomas and his parents launched The Defensive Line, a nonprofit aimed at ending youth suicide, particularly among Black and brown youth. The organization focuses on mental health awareness, peer support, and suicide prevention training. Through this work, Thomas has become one of the NFL’s most respected voices on mental health, courageously sharing his own struggles with depression and grief.
“Theater helped me heal,” Thomas explained in a recent interview. “It gave me space to feel. When you grow up in a world where toughness is everything, you don’t always know how to sit with pain or sadness. But theater? It makes you feel every emotion — joy, heartbreak, hope, all of it.”
His upcoming appearance in MJ the Musical will double as a tribute to his sister, who loved Michael Jackson’s music and often encouraged Solomon to embrace all sides of himself, including his creative side. “She used to say, ‘You’re more than a football player, Solomon,’” he recalled. “And she was right.”
Breaking the Mold: Athletes and the Arts
Thomas isn’t the first athlete to step outside of sports into the realm of performance, but his Broadway role marks an especially poignant and inspiring moment. While NBA and NFL players have occasionally dabbled in entertainment — from Shaquille O’Neal’s rapping career to LeBron James in Space Jam 2 — Broadway has remained largely uncharted territory for pro athletes.
And that’s what makes Thomas’s debut so thrilling. He isn’t chasing celebrity or doing a gimmick — he’s stepping into a centuries-old artistic tradition with the utmost respect. His performance is a declaration that masculinity, athleticism, and creativity are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they can beautifully coexist.
“In a way, Solomon represents a new model of athlete,” said cultural critic Dr. Lena Foster of NYU. “One who is unafraid to be vulnerable, to challenge traditional boundaries, and to use his fame to celebrate the power of the arts. His debut matters because it tells a generation of young athletes — and especially young men of color — that they don’t have to choose between power and sensitivity.”
The Legacy of MJ the Musical
Thomas’s Broadway debut is also helping shine a new spotlight on MJ the Musical, which continues to enjoy a successful run since opening in December 2021. With a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and direction/choreography by Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon, the show blends breathtaking performances with a deeper, introspective look at Michael Jackson’s artistry.
The musical avoids simple hagiography. Instead, it portrays Jackson in a pivotal moment — preparing for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour — while battling internal and external pressures. For Thomas, the story of a Black man reckoning with perfectionism, fame, and trauma resonates deeply.
“There’s something about MJ’s story that just hits,” Thomas said. “He gave so much to the world, but he carried so much on his shoulders. I relate to that. As athletes, especially Black men in high-profile spaces, we often feel like we can’t show cracks. But that’s where the humanity is.”
June 13: A Night to Remember
As the clock ticks closer to June 13, excitement is building. Theater insiders, Cowboys fans, and mental health advocates alike are rallying around Thomas’s big night, seeing it as a moment of celebration and cultural crossover.
The Neil Simon Theatre is expected to be packed, with some reports suggesting members of the Cowboys organization — including teammates, coaches, and even owner Jerry Jones — might be in attendance. If so, they’ll witness something truly special: a 280-pound defensive tackle taking the stage not with brute force, but with grace, heart, and vulnerability.
When asked if this might be the start of a second career in entertainment, Thomas smiled. “I’m not quitting football anytime soon,” he said. “But I do think we’re all capable of surprising ourselves. And maybe the world, too.”
Final Thoughts: More Than a Cameo
Solomon Thomas’s upcoming appearance in MJ the Musical is a beacon of what’s possible when we refuse to be limited by labels. He’s an athlete. He’s an advocate. And, as of June 13, he’ll be a Broadway performer — if only for one night.
Yet that single night carries with it a message far louder than the footlights. It reminds us that we are all multidimensional beings, capable of greatness both on the field and off. Whether it’s stopping a quarterback or stepping onto the stage, Solomon Thomas is proving that strength is found not just in muscle, but in the courage to chase every part of who we are.
So when the curtain rises in the Neil Simon Theatre, it won’t just be Solomon Thomas making his debut — it will be every young athlete, every mental health advocate, every dreamer who dares to believe there’s more inside them than the world expects.
