Tom Rinaldi is back with Season 2 of Tom Rinaldi Presents: Sacred Acre as he delves into the inspiring legacy of Ed Thomas, the revered high school football coach from Parkersburg, Iowa. This 6-part series chronicles Thomas’s journey from being the 2005 NFL High School Coach of t ...Show more
S02 Episode 01: Coach and Community
Episode One explores the life and legacy of Ed Thomas, a legendary football coach from Aplington-Parkersburg, Iowa, who was tragically killed. Over 36 seasons, he led his team to two state titles and helped four players reach the NFL, all from a town of just 2,000. Hear from NFL ...Show more
S02 Episode 02: The Beckers
Episode Two explores Ed Thomas's early years as head coach in Parkersburg, focusing on his first captain, Dave Becker. A standout player who set multiple tackling records, Becker formed a strong bond with Thomas, who even helped him meet his future wife, Joan. We delve into the B ...Show more
S02 Episode 03: Concrete's Dry
In May 2008, An EF-5 ravaged Iowa and tore up most of the town of Parkersburg. The damage was near atomic. The Thomas family lost their home. Applington-Parkersburg High School was unrecognizable. But the recovery happened immediately. Ed Thomas was undeterred in his goal of gett ...Show more
S02 Episode 04: June 24th
*Producer's Note: Please be advised that there are graphic descriptions of gun violence in this episode. Listener discretion is advised. Episode 4 reveals the origins of Mark’s struggles with the law and his mental health. We take you through the fatal day on June 24th, when Ed T ...Show more