Who Is Rickey Thenarse? Birth, Age, NFL Career and Shooting in Los Angeles

Early Life, Birth and Age
Rickey Thenarse is a former American football player who was born on September 28, 1988, in Los Angeles. As of 2026, he is 37 years old. He grew up in Los Angeles, where he developed an interest in football from a young age, eventually pursuing it seriously as a career.

College Football Career
Thenarse played college football at the University of Nebraska, where he represented the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 2006 to 2010.

He first made an impact on special teams, where his energy and performance earned him recognition, including Special Teams MVP honors. As he gained experience, he transitioned into a defensive role as a safety. Over the years, he played in more than 50 games and built a reputation as a dependable and hardworking player, contributing with tackles, interceptions, and forced fumbles.

NFL Career
After going undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, Thenarse signed with the Seattle Seahawks, entering the National Football League as a free agent.

He took part in training camp and preseason games, where he showed effort and determination. However, competition for roster spots was tough, and he was eventually released before the regular season began. This marked the end of his brief NFL career.

Shooting in Los Angeles
In April 2026, Thenarse made headlines after being shot in Los Angeles. The incident reportedly happened in South Los Angeles during an altercation.

He was shot in the stomach and quickly rushed to the hospital, where he underwent surgery. Fortunately, he survived and is expected to recover.

Early reports suggest the shooting may have been linked to a personal dispute involving his girlfriend and another man. Witnesses say individuals were seen fleeing the scene shortly after the incident. Authorities are still investigating, and no arrests have been confirmed so far.