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Dont'e Thornton Jr. makes it clear that there is much more to him than just what you will see on the field with the Raiders

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Justin Churchill | Last updated May 28, 2025 9:13 PM ET

With Pete Carroll, the former Seattle Seahawks head coach, taking over the Las Vegas Raiders' new regime, everyone knew that the culture would improve significantly over what was already in place. And that's honestly not too hard to do.

When you think about the type of coach that Carroll is, he's really not a defensive or offensive coach. Sure, he has grown his philosophies over the years, but he's not calling plays on either side of the ball for the Raiders. What he is is a program builder and a culture builder. He did it at USC when he won a National Championship, he did it with the Seahawks, and now he's trying to do it with the Raiders.

So, yes, when they are bringing on new players, whether it be through free agency or the 2025 NFL Draft, they are going to bring in certain players that fit the culture that Carroll wants to build. And, he's done that. The culture is all about being a Raider and what that represents, but also about being good people.

And, one of their rookies harped on it that what you see on the field is not all that the Raiders are getting.

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"You're definitely going to see a big and fast receiver that can stretch the field, and play inside or outside receiver. But the biggest thing you won't see on the field is the fact that I'm a great person," Dont'e Thornton Jr. said to Zach Gelb. "With me joining the team, the team would be adding a great person on and off the field. So, I would say that's something that people would get to know after some time."

Dont'e Thornton Jr is fired up to be on the same team as @AshtonJeanty2 and @brockbowers17 and also loved @LRiddickESPN comparing him to @RandyMoss. @IamDTJ11 @InfSportsNet pic.twitter.com/5jBuctiaoP
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) April 30, 2025

Just from the small things we have seen of Thornton Jr., you can already tell that he is a man of his word and that he really is a genuine dude. That's one of the biggest reasons they drafted him, apart from the fact that he is an athletic freak.

And, hopefully, this is something we start seeing from every player they bring on from here on out.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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