EVERETT—The Everett Royals semi-pro football team is more than just another sports team, it’s a community engagement movement where players participate in charities, volunteerism, and self-improvement off the field, and wow audiences with stunning athleticism, and exciting performances, on the field.
The Royals were founded by longtime football player Mike Thomas in 2020 who decided to build his own team when the Tulalip Hawks (who he played for at the time), took a hiatus due to the pandemic.
“We took about a year off, so I started thinking about building a program of my own that was successful on, and off, the field. When a lot of people think of minor league football they think backyard football, but I wanted to change that whole mindset. That’s why I call my program pro development,” said Thomas. “I wanted to make a team where people could come here and get something out of it, whether they’re going to learn a trade through our trade school, or go on to the NFL, there has to be an outcome for these guys.”
Prior to playing for the Tulalip Hawks, Thomas began playing football in high school and started his semi-pro career in 2011, through teams like the Renton Ravens, the Eastside Extreme, and the Snohomish Vikings. It was his time playing with the Vikings in particular – under Owner Jeff Fisher’s management – that truly taught him the most about football, and how to properly run a team.
However, during Thomas’ football career he shared that he was often promised things about his future that never came true, so when he founded the Royals he made a commitment to himself, and to his players, that whatever he promises he’ll make happen.
Thomas recalls how it all came together – beginning from idea to a now 70 player team recognized by the West Coast Pacific Minor Leagues. It all started in a McDonald’s drive thru, Thomas said, when he noticed a “big guy” taking his order.
“I asked if he played football and he said he hadn’t had the chance since high school. I told him he should join the Everett Royals but at the time, I didn’t have an LLC, a website, nothing,” said Thomas.
When Thomas went home, he applied for an LLC, built a website, and made an official announcement knowing when this fast-food worker got off work that evening, he would look up the Everett Royals.
The McDonald’s employee, named Will Grant, was the first official player for the Everett Royals – playing with the team for a season before moving back to his home state of Hawaii.
Also in the Everett Royals’ first year one of its players (DeShon Johnson Williams) went on to get drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, which Thomas said just reinforced his idea of “pro development.”
“It showed me that you can make it regardless of what level of football you come from,” said Thomas.
But not only that, having an Everett Royal get drafted by the Seattle Seahawks was great exposure for Thomas and his league, garnering attention from many leaders in local sports.
The Royals are led by Head Coach Boyd Demus, who has been with Thomas since day one. Thomas described Demus’ coaching style as “great”, adding that his players “love listening to him.”
“He’s very humble and sweet and he definitely pays attention to the players, he cares about the heart of the players and what they’re doing off the field,” said Thomas.
Speaking of “off the field,” the Everett Royals are more than just another semi-pro football team they’re advocates, and active participants, in community engagement volunteerism. Outside of the football season, the Royals partner with Everett-based Millenia Ministries to hand out food to the homeless, clean the streets of litter, and help coach little league football for kids.
The Everett Royals have their own food drive every year through a partnership with the Federal Way Food Bank. The semi-pro team also partners with financial literacy programs to offer these services to players who might be interested.
The Royals’ Partnership Director is none other than DanVo’nique Bletson-Reed, President of the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee.
“That’s why this program is amazing. It’s much more than football, and we want to give our players the opportunity to not only grow on the field, but grow off the field,” said Thomas.
Thomas gave an example of one of his players, Cameron Bridges, who joined his team a “shy kid” but now, when he speaks, “he speaks like a leader”.
Another Royals player, Kelechi Amonu Jones, who grew up in Nigeria and never had the opportunity to play football despite always being a fan, found his opportunity with the Everett Royals in 2025. His first year with the team Jones was awarded the Rookie of the Year Award.
In addition to the 70 players (ranging in age from 18 to 60) on the Everett Royals, the semi-pro team also has its own cheerleading team of about 30 girls.
The Everett Royals play at Mount Pilchuck High School’s football stadium mostly but try and play at fields around Snohomish County to represent it various cities.
The season for the Royals begins in April and runs through June, with their first game this year being on April 11 against the Whatcom Vikings.
Tickets for games are free for high school students, $5 for children and military, and $10 for the general public.
Seeing the Everett Royals play in-person is a “life-changings” experience, Thomas said.
“These guys are loud, they’re a family and they don’t break. You’ll see a guy with his head down and the entire team will help him pick it back up. Watching a Royals game is probably one of the best games you’ll ever watch and every year our crowd keeps growing,” said Thomas. “Our cheerleaders alone make the game even more alive. When they’re out there, they’re pumping the crowd up.”
Throughout the games the Everett Royals often bring in high school bands, dance teams, and little league football at half-time. It’s all about “lifting up community,” Thomas added, and he does that by supporting local athletes, school bands, and inviting local food trucks, and vendor booths, to sell their products at games at no cost.
Throughout the offseason players with the Everett Royals continue to work, either with their community (or through a moving company for a chance to earn a bit of extra money), joining a softball team, or hosting a ‘Toys for Tots’ drive where they distribute free toys to kids.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
