Both the wooden and real life versions of Buffalo Bills great Thurman Thomas will be in Sahlen’s Sports Park in Elma at 5PM this afternoon as the snatched statue makes its way back home.
Expect an international, national and local media frenzy as the live versions of NFL, CBS, FOX, ESPN, local stations and 97 Rock will be on hand to see the statue returned after last Sunday’s heist by three Canadian teens.
The statue is charred, but whole. The Canadian teens said that someone had vandalized it by setting it on fire after last Sunday’s home loss to the Cleveland Browns, and they simply wanted to save it. The teens say they put out the fire, then hoisted the half-ton wooden Thurmanator into the back of a pick-up, and took it to Welland.
According to Carvings for a Cause Founder Therese Forton-Barnes and Director Frank Crowe, the authorities are following their lead in a decision not to press charges against the teens. However, the cost of truck rental looks like $1,500, and that will be paid by the Canadian “rescuers”.
“Congressman Brian Higgins and Legislator Tim Kennedy were very helpful on the paperwork end of things, so we’re grateful to them for all their help,” Crowe says.
Of all the things Buffalo has gotten national attention for this past year, this may not be the best, but it looks like it’s turning out to be the biggest.