He traumatizes wide receivers as a University of Montana Grizzly free safety. She barrel races in junior rodeo. He comes from a family of Grizzly football standouts. She comes from a family of Montana State University Bobcats. He's 21 and wears No. 32 for the Griz. She's 7 and also wears No. 32. Only on her, the maroon jersey looks like a prom dress.
This odd couple has exchanged more than 30 letters in the past year. Real, pen-to-paper letters, with occasional photos.
“She wanted to write him, but I wouldn't let her,” Leslie said. “I have a brother who's 25 and he doesn't have any time to write letters. I didn't think anything would happen.”
Torrey Thomas said he's not much of a letter writer, either. But the Dillon native wrote Tori back, and something clicked.
“She's kind of become my friend,” Torrey said. “It's nice to hear how she's doing. She sends me drawings she's made. She drew my name and colored it in. When I was having surgery, she drew me a get-well flower - nice things like that.”
For a 7-year-old, Tori has invested a lot of grownup care in the relationship. She made regular inquiries about Torrey's recovery from a shoulder injury this summer, saying prayers for his return to first-string form. When a gunman killed several people at Virginia Tech last April, Tori wanted to know about conditions on Missoula's campus.
“She was scared when that happened and she wanted me to be safe,” Torrey said. “That was the sweetest thing.”
The correspondence continued about every other week. They met for the first time when Tori and her family came down for the Portland State game Nov. 3. Torrey presented Tori with an exclusive “No Fly Zone - Keep 'em grounded” T-shirt that the Grizzly defensive squad made for themselves. It's the only one printed on a “small” shirt. That was a hit with Tori's dad Trace, who flies F-16s with the 120th Fighter Wing of the Montana National Guard.
Torrey also had autographed sweatshirts for Tori's mother and sister, Alyshia, caps for her brother Timer and dad Trace, and a beanie for baby sister Taya.
When the Griz made the playoffs, the Fort Shaw Thomases packed up for another Missoula road trip. They also discovered another commonality with the Dillon Thomases: Both like to eat at Taco Treat after football. For Tori, the dinner could be as big as the game.
“I'm going to have a taco and cheese fries and a beef enchilada,” Tori said. “I think Torrey's going to have 18 plates.”
Reporter Rob Chaney can be reached at 523-5382 or at rchaney@missoulian.com
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