Todd Thomas (American football)

Todd Robin Thomas (December 2, 1959 - March 5, 2000) was an American football offensive lineman and long snapper. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round (124th overall) of the 1981 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Dakota.

Todd Thomas
Todd Thomas - 1983 New Jersey Generals
No. 61, 62, 74, 77
Position:Center / Long snapper / Tackle
Personal information
Born:(1959-12-02)December 2, 1959
Mankato, Minnesota
Died:March 5, 2000(2000-03-05) (aged 40)
Houston, Texas
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:284 lb (129 kg)
Career information
College:North Dakota
NFL Draft:1981 / Round: 5 / Pick: 124
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games played:15
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

Thomas graduated from Cedarburg High School in 1977 and was a letterman in football, baseball, and basketball. In football, he was a tackle as well as the team's long snapper.[1] On February 15, 2014, he was inducted into the Cedarburg High School Athletic Hall of Fame.[2]

College career

He played tackle at North Dakota and also served as the long snapper. Thomas was named to the first team All-American squad in 1980. In 1981, he graduated with a degree in chemical engineering.[3] He was inducted into the University of North Dakota Letterwinners Association Hall of Fame in 2000.[4]

Professional career

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Thomas in the fifth round (124th overall) in the 1981 NFL Draft.[5] He played in 15 regular season games for the 1981 Chiefs as their long snapper.[6] During a game against the Miami Dolphins on December 13, Thomas suffered a dislocated shoulder.[7][8] He was placed on injured reserve on December 15 through the remainder of the 1981 season. On September 6, 1982 the Chiefs released him.[9]

United States Football League (USFL)

Thomas signed with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL) on October 15, 1982. He started in 11 games and played in all 18 games during their 1983 inaugural season and was frequently used as a blocking tight end.[9] On February 14, 1984, the New Jersey Generals traded Thomas to the Arizona Wranglers for linebacker Don Goode.[10] Thomas played in ten games for the Wranglers as a tackle / tight end and then was released on May 18, 1984.[11] The Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL claimed Thomas off waivers from the Arizona Wranglers on May 18, 1984.[12] He played tackle.

Philadelphia Eagles

After two seasons in the USFL, Thomas returned to the National Football League in July 1984 as a center / guard with the Philadelphia Eagles.[13] On August 14, 1984, he was placed on injured reserve with a herniated disc.[14] He remained on injured reserve for the entire 1984 season, and then retired from football due to his back injury.

Later Life and Death

After ending his football career Thomas utilized his background in chemical engineering, eventually earning seven patents. Moreover, Thomas was considered an expert in under balanced drilling techniques.[15] Sadly, at the age of 40, Thomas passed away from lung cancer on March 5, 2000. That same year he was inducted into the University of North Dakota Hall of Fame.[16]

References
  1. Van Sickle, Gary Badgers star for Sioux The Milwaukee Journal, October 9, 1980, accessed August 12, 2011
  2. "TODD THOMAS - Athlete (Class of 1977)". www.cedarburg.sportngin.com. Retrieved 2014-02-16.
  3. Thomas named All-American The Milwaukee Journal, December 18, 1980, accessed August 12, 2011
  4. University of North Dakota Letterwinners Association Hall of Fame
  5. 1981 NFL Draft, Round 5
  6. http://www.nfl.com/player/toddthomas/2527290/profile
  7. Levy, Marv (2004). Where Else Would You Rather Be, p. 245. Sports Publishing L.L.C., ISBN 1-58261-797-X.
  8. Dolphins Win Playoff Spot; Topple Chiefs The News and Courier, December 14, 1981, accessed August 12, 2011
  9. Balzer, Howard (1984). USFL Guide and Register, p. 393. The Sporting News., ISBN 0-89204-171-4.
  10. Generals Trade 2 And Release 10 The New York Times, February 14, 1984, accessed August 12, 2011
  11. TRANSACTIONS Spokane Chronicle, May 19, 1984, accessed August 12, 2011
  12. Cook, Ron Correal shocked by release The Pittsburgh Press, June 8, 1984, accessed August 12, 2011
  13. Eagles sign Thomas Gettysburg Times, July 23, 1984, accessed February 2, 2012
  14. Parcells names Simms top quarterback, blasts Carson Record-Journal, August 15, 1984, accessed August 12, 2011
  15. https://issuu.com/undathletics/docs/2015_north_dakota_football_media_gu/146. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. "TODD THOMAS - Athlete (Class of 1977)". www.cedarburg.sportngin.com. Retrieved 2014-02-16.
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