Thurman Thomas

Thurman Thomas (born May 16, 1966 in Houston, Texas) was an American football running back who spent most of his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills.

Related Topics:
May 16 - 1966 - Houston, Texas - American football - Running back - NFL - Buffalo Bills

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Thomas grew up playing football on the Missouri City Junior High School (now Missouri City Middle School) and Willowridge High School teams before attending college at Oklahoma State University. At Oklahoma State, Thomas had 897 rushes for 4,595 yards, 43 touchdowns, and 21 100-yard rushing games. He was also a Heisman Trophy candidate in his senior year.

Related Topics:
Willowridge High School - Oklahoma State University - Heisman Trophy

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A knee injury damaged Thomas's certain first round pick status and caused him to slip into second round (40th overall) of the 1988 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills, their first choice in the draft. Thomas is well known as part of the offense that included Jim Kelly and Andre Reed, which led the Bills to four straight Super Bowl appearances.

Related Topics:
Knee - 1988 - NFL - Jim Kelly - Andre Reed - Super Bowl

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He was the AFC rushing leader in 1990, 1991, and 1993. Voted to the All-Pro team in 1990 and 1991. Selected to 5 straight Pro Bowls from 1989-1993 and NFL Player of the Year in 1991.

Related Topics:
AFC - 1990 - 1991 - 1993 - Pro Bowl

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Thomas currently holds the all-time Buffalo Bills rushing record with 11,938 yards, and also the record for yards from scrimmage. He is also 4th overall in team scoring.

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He is the only player in NFL history to lead the league in total yards from scrimmage for four consecutive seasons. One of only four running backs to have over 400 receptions and 10,000 yards rushing (Walter Payton, Marshall Faulk and Marcus Allen being the other two). He is also one of four running backs to have rushed for over 1,000 yards in 8 consecutive seasons (Curtis Martin, Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith).

Related Topics:
Walter Payton - Marshall Faulk - Marcus Allen - Curtis Martin - Barry Sanders - Emmitt Smith

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Also set NFL playoff records with the most career points (126), touchdowns (21), and consecutive playoff games with a touchdown (9).

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Thurman Thomas played for the Buffalo Bills for 12 seasons. When the Bills ran out of money under their salary cap in 2000, Thomas signed with the arch-rival Miami Dolphins. He suffered a knee injury on November 12, 2000 against the San Diego Chargers which ended his NFL career. After deciding to retire, Thurman signed a one-day contract on February 27, 2001 with the Buffalo Bills so that he could retire as a Bill.

Related Topics:
Salary cap - 2000 - Miami Dolphins - San Diego Chargers

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Thurman Thomas will be eligible for consideration into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Related Topics:
Pro Football Hall of Fame - 2006

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