Thomas Claiborne, who has played for the Boston College Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is continuing his football career with The Massachusetts Pirates, Southern New England's professional indoor football team.
A native of Boston, Claiborne (6’3”, 330 pound defenseman) played football at Wellesley High School where he returned in 2015 as a teacher and football coach. While playing at Wellesley High School he earned Prep Star All-American honors as a senior defensive lineman and earned Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic honors in 2005.
Claiborne went on to excel in college becoming an All-ACC athlete at Guard for the Boston College Eagles (2006-2010) and was part of two ACC Championship games against Virginia Tech. In the 2010 season he appeared in 12 games at right guard and had 34 career starts. He blocked for All-ACC back Montel Harris who led the conference in rushing and ranked 16th nationally. The line allowed Eagles’ running back to gain 100 or more yards in nine different games and BC ranked 51st in the country in tackles for loss allowed (6.15).
In 2011 Claiborne signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and attended training camp with the ball club. Since then he has enjoyed success in the AFL playing for the Milwaukee Mustangs and Jacksonville Sharks.
In returning to the field for the Massachusetts Pirates the schedule allows him to continue his passion of working with students on the field and in the classroom while continuing to play the game he loves.
The Pirates (6-3) will return to play at home at the DCU Center in Worcester on Saturday, June 16th vs. the Columbus Lions and the following Saturday, June 23rd vs. the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks.
Fans can also enjoy the games on NESN (New England Sports Network) which is televising all eight (8) Pirates home games during the 2018 season on tape-delay on NESNplus. Each of these games will also air on NESN National and on NESN primary during the week.
NESN is also airing an all access show on the team with behind the scenes footage.
NESN will also be airing multiple thirty minute documentary specials beginning in May, following the Pirates as they navigate through their first season of action. The audience will get an in depth look at the lives of the players, coaches and front office members who are at the forefront of Massachusetts’ newest professional sports franchise.
About The Massachusetts Pirates
The Massachusetts Pirates are members of the National Arena League (NAL). The Pirates play all home games at the DCU Center located at 50 Foster St. Worcester, MA. 01608. Pirate Nation Season Ticket Memberships for the 2018 season are now available. To become a Pirate Nation Season Ticket member or for more information on the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508) 452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.
