42 Facts About Thurman Thomas

Thurman Lee Thomas was born on May 16,1966 and is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League for thirteen seasons, primarily with the Buffalo Bills.

Thurman Thomas was selected by the Bills in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft, where he spent all but one season of his professional career.

Thurman Thomas' efforts helped his team make a record four consecutive Super Bowl appearances from 1991 to 1994; while the Bills did not prevail in any of the games, they were the first team to have reached the Super Bowl in four consecutive seasons.

Thurman Thomas was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 and into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Thurman Thomas grew up playing football on the Missouri City Junior High School and Willowridge High School teams.

Thurman Thomas formerly resided in the Willow Park II subdivision, located southeast of the Fort Bend Tollway and Beltway 8.

Thurman Thomas attended college at Oklahoma State University where he was an upperclassman teammate of running back Barry Sanders.

At Oklahoma State, Thurman Thomas had 897 rushes for 4,595 yards, 43 touchdowns, 5,146 total yards, and 21 100-yard rushing games.

Thurman Thomas was a Heisman Trophy candidate in his senior year, finishing seventh in voting.

Thurman Thomas was a first team selection on the College Football All-America Team in 1985 and 1987.

Thurman Thomas led the Big Eight in rushing and scoring in 1985 and 1987 and was voted the conference's Offensive Player of the Year both seasons.

Thurman Thomas starred as a sophomore in 1985 when he posted 1,553 yards rushing, fourth best in the country.

Thurman Thomas bounced back his senior season, rushing for 1,613 yards and finishing third nationally in rushing.

Thurman Thomas left OSU as the school's all-time leading rusher and his number 34 is one of only three jerseys retired at Oklahoma State.

In 2008, Thurman Thomas was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Thurman 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.

Thurman Thomas was the AFC rushing leader in three seasons.

Thurman Thomas currently holds the all-time Buffalo Bills rushing record with 11,938 yards and the team record for yards from scrimmage with 16,279 over twelve seasons.

Thurman Thomas is the only player in NFL history to lead the league in total yards from scrimmage for four consecutive seasons.

Thurman Thomas is one of only six running backs to have over 400 receptions and 10,000 yards rushing.

Thurman Thomas is one of five running backs to have rushed for over 1,000 yards in eight consecutive seasons along with Curtis Martin, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith and Tomlinson.

Thurman Thomas set NFL playoff records with the most career points, touchdowns, and consecutive playoff games with a touchdown.

Thurman Thomas had an outstanding performance in Super Bowl XXV, rushing for 135 yards and a touchdown, while catching five passes for 55 yards.

Some fans and sports writers, such as Sports Illustrated writer Paul Zimmerman, have argued that Thurman Thomas had the best performance of the game, so therefore he should have won the MVP award even though his team lost.

Thurman Thomas had far more yards and catches than New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson, who won the MVP.

Thurman Thomas rushed for a total of 255 yards, caught eight passes for 99 yards, and scored three touchdowns in their two playoff games prior to the Super Bowl.

Thurman Thomas had a pre-game ritual where he placed his helmet at the 34-yard line.

Thurman Thomas's helmet was moved in order for the stage to be set up for Harry Connick, Jr.

Thurman Thomas went on to gain just thirteen rushing yards and a touchdown on ten carries.

Thurman Thomas was still recovering from a hip injury he suffered in the first game of the postseason.

Thurman Thomas committed a costly fumble that was converted into a Dallas touchdown.

Thurman Thomas scored the only touchdown of the game for his team, but was limited to just 37 rushing yards on sixteen carries.

Thurman Thomas was a reliable target as a receiver out of the backfield, catching seven passes for 52 yards but he lost two fumbles that led to ten Dallas points.

Thurman Thomas signed with the Miami Dolphins during the 2000 off-season, after the Bills had released him to clear space under the salary cap.

Thurman Thomas suffered a knee injury on November 12,2000 against the San Diego Chargers which ended his NFL career.

Thurman Thomas was first eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Thurman Thomas was selected on February 3,2007, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Thurman Thomas joined his former quarterback Jim Kelly and wide receiver James Lofton in the Hall of Fame.

Thurman Thomas is married to Patti Mariacher, who is from Buffalo and was on the Oklahoma State University golf team.

Thurman Thomas is involved with several business enterprises including sports, energy, telecommunications and construction.

Thurman Thomas was appointed as vice chair of the New York State Tourism Advisory Council in 2014.

Thurman Thomas has talked about mental health and the effects of concussions suffered during his football career.