WATCH: Earl Thomas destroys Kelvin Benjamin with big hit

Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas is known to lower the boom on opposing receivers attempting to catch passes over the middle of the field.

Thomas has great closing speed and covers a lot of ground, and Kelvin Benjamin learned that lesson in the first quarter of Sunday night’s game.

The Panthers were faced with a third-and-long situation, and Cam Newton threw a pass intended for Benjamin, which was broken up perfectly by DeShawn Shead.

Thomas made sure Benjamin didn’t catch the ball, though, with a textbook hit that sent Benjamin flying. Notice how he led with his shoulder to avoid being penalized.

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Thomas and Kam Chancellor anchor the Seahawks’ secondary, and plays such as this one are proof of that.