Orlando Thomas was an American professional football player who was a defensive back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League from 1995 until 2001.
13 Facts About Orlando Thomas
1.
2.
Orlando Thomas played college football for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns.
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Orlando Thomas was a second-round draft pick out of the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1995.
4.
Orlando Thomas intercepted a deflected pass, but his knee stuck to the turf at Texas Stadium and he was carted off.
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Orlando Thomas started 87 of 98 games for the Vikings, intercepting 22 passes, including 9 during his rookie season.
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The charges were reduced to one count of disturbing the peace, and Orlando Thomas pleaded no contest.
7.
Orlando Thomas was ordered to pay a $100 fine, pay court costs, and perform 50 hours of community service.
8.
Orlando Thomas married his wife Demetra on February 27,1998, only two months after their first date and five months after first meeting at Cheese Car Wash in north Minneapolis.
9.
In 1999, Orlando Thomas was charged after allegedly assaulting his wife Demetra.
10.
Orlando Thomas later pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge of simple battery.
11.
Orlando Thomas revealed in June 2007 that he was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
12.
On October 28,2009, it was reported on the Minnesota Vikings' website that Orlando Thomas had died, but the organization withdrew the report and apologized to Orlando Thomas and his family after it proved to be false.
13.
Orlando Thomas died of complications from ALS on November 9,2014.