Ratcliff Thomas is a native of Alexandria, Virginia growing up in the inner city area of Old Town Alexandria. Charles Houston recreation center is where he started playing team sports excelling at football and basketball at a very young age. At GW middle school, he was the MVP on the football field and on the basketball court, setting the school's single game scoring record with a 53 point performance. Ratcliff attended the nationally acclaimed T.C. Williams High School featured in the blockbuster film "Remember the Titans". While a student at T.C. Williams Ratcliff developed an early interest in community service by lending his time to activities such as food drives, clothing drives and various tutoring and mentoring opportunities.

With a stellar high school career culminating with a McDonald's All American nomination in basketball and an All American achievement in football, Ratcliff was offered numerous scholarship opportunities in both sports.  His high school alma mater honored him in the year 2000 by retiring #29, the football jersey number worn during his time as a Titan.

Having settled on a career path in football, Ratcliff chose to attend Hargrave Military Academy following his graduation from high school to further develop his athletic and academic abilities.  This proved beneficial as offers came from some of the top football programs in the country after his first year. Choosing to stay in the local DMV area, he committed to the University of Maryland where he started every single game, was named a Freshman All American, achieved All ACC honors and finished his collegiate career joining the Terrapins' Top 10 Tackles of All Time list.

Following a successful collegiate career Ratcliff played five years in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers and the Indianapolis Colts earing a 1999  Sports Illustrated All-Pro nomination and serving as the Colts' Team Captain.

At the conclusion of his professional career Ratcliff returned to the DMV area where his notoriety would be influential in creating a network of youth mentors sharing a common commitment to enacting social change.  Continuing his history of selfless benevolence Ratcliff served his community as a role model, mentor, coach, athletic trainer and volunteering in the public school system.  Ratcliff went on to serve on the Board of Directors for several non-profit organizations, including the Alexandria Sportsman's Club which once honored him with the Ratcliff Thomas Night of Remembrance and declared him the "Son of the City".  In 2016, Ratcliff was again honored with the "Man of Courage Lifetime Achievement Award". This award recognized him for a life dedicated to excellence in sports, leadership, character, mentorship and youth advocacy--all traits that eventually led him to the establishment of the Ratcliff Thomas Foundation which has had tremendous impact on the local community bridging the gap between underserved and opportunity.  Through this foundation he has created the DMV Sports Group an organization spotlighting local athletes and guiding them through the challenging high school years, the college recruitment process and beyond.