Joining the "Ella's Sunflowers" group will be family, friends, teammates, and other 49ers personnel, including general manager John Lynch. In fact, Lynch announced on Thursday that the 49ers are donating $10,000 to Thomas' team, which is double the amount the team donated last year.
In April, Thomas was presented with the inaugural Eve R. Meyer legacy award for his ongoing efforts to help those struggling with depression that might lead to tragedy. He admits that Ella's passing had an impact on his play last season as he dealt with anger, depression, guilt, and grief.
"I definitely had a lot of carryover from what I went through with my family in the offseason, losing my sister, just going through the grief process," Thomas told NBC Sports Bay Area last month. "I really didn't handle it well at first. I just kind of got stuck in a dark hole that I couldn't get out of for a while, and really didn't honor my emotions, or really even tend to them at all."
Thomas is now a potential candidate to be among the 49ers' breakout players in 2019.
"I know what I can do on the field, and that's what I'm excited about," he said. "I'm really confident in myself right now. I'm really confident in my abilities and what I can do, and my potential. I'm just ready to go out there and play as hard as I can, and kind of just show everyone, and show myself how good I can be."
Thomas is preparing to enter his third NFL season since being made the No. 3 overall pick by the 49ers in 2017. He registered 31 combined tackles and a sack through 16 games and 13 starts with the 49ers last year. Thomas has recorded 72 combined tackles and four sacks through his two NFL seasons.
Information about the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk can be found here. You can also donate directly to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention from the organization's official site.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers LB Fred Warner praises Mike Evans signing: "He fits right in"
There is plenty of excitement within the San Francisco 49ers organization following the signing of veteran wide receiver Mike Evans, who brings more than 13,000 career receiving yards and 108 touchdowns to the team. One player especially enthusiastic about the move is All-Pro... -
49ers officially announce trade for DT Osa Odighizuwa
The San Francisco 49ers have officially announced the previously reported trade for defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for the team's 2026 third-round pick. The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown. Odighizuwa (6-2,... -
49ers Reunite Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw — Why the Move Is Bigger Than It Looks
The San Francisco 49ers didn't just add a linebacker this week — they brought back the heartbeat of their defense. The reunion with Dre Greenlaw may look like a simple one-year move on paper, but anyone who has watched the 49ers over the past few seasons understands exactly... -
5 things for 49ers fans to know about Dre Greenlaw's 2025 season with the Broncos
49ers fans are obviously extremely familiar with recently re-signed linebacker Dre Greenlaw, which makes the type of lengthy introduction pieces that 49ers Webzone has been giving to new players unnecessary. But for any 49ers fans who didn't pay much attention to Greenlaw in...