Meet R Mason Thomas, Chiefs' draft pick with unique name originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
R Mason Thomas is the newest member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
They drafted the edge rusher from Oklahoma with the No. 40 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, early in the second round on Friday night.
2026 NFL DRAFT HQ:Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available
“It doesn’t stand for anything. Some people put a period there (after the R). My first name is R Mason. There’s a space in between the capital R and the capital M. My mom didn’t want me to be an R name, like Richard or Raymond. But on her side of the family, [there’s] a lot of R names. Her dad, her grandfather, my uncle, her brother, even his son’s name starts with an R. She didn’t want an R name, but she wanted to keep the R going, so she made it R Mason.”
Because it's just the letter, it really doesn't need a period after it, either, even if it looks odd hanging out there like that.
BEST DRAFT NAMES: Ephesians Prysock | R Mason Thomas | DeVonta Smith | Zxavian Harris
He spent his whole college career with the Sooners and is now a second-round draft pick.
The Chiefs have added three defensive players in the first 40 picks of this year's draft. The Chiefs will try to bounce back here.
Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors might persist for a while
Steelers' 1st-round pick didn't play football until college
Eagles and Cowboys have made a trade like this before
Browns' pick is really about Shedeur Sanders' replacement
