The pride of Crenshaw High, De’Anthony Thomas, returns to the Coliseum on Saturday

It’s going to be a big homecoming on Saturday for De’Anthony Thomas, a receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs who returns to Los Angeles to face the Rams at the Coliseum.

Thomas is a beloved figure at Crenshaw High. He was part of a 2009 football team that was probably the best in school history. The Cougars went 14-1, with their only loss coming to De La Salle in a bowl. Three other players off that team made to the NFL _ Hayes Pullard, Marcus Martin and Greg Ducre.

Coach Robert Garrett said that team brought unprecedented excitement to the school. He called Thomas’ performances “extravagant.”

Known for his speed, Thomas was a fourth-round pick of the Chiefs in 2014 after playing at Oregon. Some had doubts about his NFL success because of his size at 5 feet 8, but he has found a niche with the Chiefs. He caught 23 passes in 2014 and 17 in 2015.

He grew up playing in the Snoop Dogg youth football league and picked up the nickname, “Black Mamba.”

Garrett doesn’t like attending games with big crowds, so he’ll be using Tivo to tape Saturday’s game on TV.

But you can count on Thomas having his share of fans rooting for the pride of Crenshaw High.

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