Rodney Thomas enjoyed a record-breaking career at Groveton, leading the Indians to two Class 2A state titles, while gaining 8,441 yards and scoring 115 touchdowns.
16 Facts About Rodney Thomas
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Rodney Thomas was the first Texas running back to rush for 100 yards in all 16 games, accomplished in 1990.
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Rodney Thomas rushed for almost 300 yards as a freshman with the Aggies and then compiled very consistent rushing totals his final three years in College Station: 856,996, and 868 yards and became only the fourth Aggie to rush from more than 3,000 career yards.
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Rodney Thomas' teams established school records for most points in a season twice and never lost a game at Kyle Field and never lost to a conference opponent.
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Rodney Thomas is remembered by many Aggie fans as much for what he did off the field as for what he did on it.
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Rodney Thomas was an active member of service organization Aggie Athletes Involved, and was awarded the Southwest Conference American Airlines Spirit Award.
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Rodney Thomas was selected by the Houston Oilers in the third round of the 1995 NFL draft.
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Rodney Thomas' rushing total was, at the time, second only to Earl Campbell in Oiler historical top rookie rushing totals.
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In spite of his stellar rookie campaign, Rodney Thomas was relegated to backup and special teams roles the following season when the Oilers selected 1995 Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George as their No 1 pick in the draft.
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In 1996, Rodney Thomas carried just 49 times for 151 yards.
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In spite of this, Rodney Thomas continued to be a team player, thriving in his role and never showing public displeasure, staying with the Oilers as they moved to Tennessee and turning down offers from other teams that would have been more lucrative and where he could have come out of George's shadow.
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Rodney Thomas spent two more seasons with the Tennessee Titans, playing a backup role on the field, but providing leadership both on and off the field with his unparalleled work ethic and outstanding character.
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Rodney Thomas signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons in 2001.
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Rodney Thomas played in 12 games for the Falcons that year, and finished with 37 carries for 126 yards and caught two passes for 26 yards.
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Rodney Thomas was waived by the Falcons before the 2002 preseason and subsequently retired from football.
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Rodney Thomas died on June 14,2014, in Groveton, Texas, at the age of 41 from a heart attack.