Duane Thomas, a former NFL running back and a key player in the Dallas Cowboys' early success, has died at the age of 77.
Thomas's contribution to football is indelible, particularly his impact on the Cowboys during their journey to the franchise's first Super Bowl championship. As a rookie entering the 1971 offseason, Thomas delivered one of the best seasons in NFL history, showcasing his formidable talent early in his career.
Thomas's performance was pivotal in propelling the Cowboys to the Super Bowl with a league-best 5.3 yards-per-carry average, a franchise record that remained unrivaled until Emmitt Smith tied it in 1993. Yet, his tenure with the Cowboys was marked by conflict. Seeking a pay raise as he entered the 1971 season, Thomas found himself at odds with team management, leading to a failed trade to New England, which was vetoed by NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle.
Despite the off-field challenges, Thomas's on-field contributions were remarkable. He remained silent throughout the 1971 season but let his performance speak volumes, leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns that year. His efforts were instrumental in helping the Cowboys secure their sixth consecutive division title.
The 1971 postseason further highlighted Thomas's talent. He scored three touchdowns across three playoff games, including a significant performance in Super Bowl VI, where he amassed 95 rushing yards on 19 carries, a 3-yard touchdown run, and caught three receptions. The Cowboys' triumph over the Miami Dolphins with a decisive 24-3 victory in Super Bowl VI underscored Thomas's critical role in their success.
The admiration of his teammates was evident. Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach once remarked, "Duane Thomas gave everything he had. He blocked hard, he ran hard, he played hard, and he was very smart. Duane rarely made a mistake." This sentiment was echoed by defensive lineman Bob Lilly, who compared Thomas's playing style to that of Jim Brown, saying, "I just can't tell people enough how good he was. I just had visions of Jim Brown coming back to life. Duane, he had those same moves... He could really go off-tackle, about as good as I ever saw, and start needing his way through the linebackers and the secondary. Almost like music. In fact, I can see it right now."
However, Thomas's time with the Cowboys was short-lived. The team released him before the 1972 season, a decision that surprised many given his on-field impact. Thomas did not play in the 1972 NFL season but later joined Washington, where he spent two years before retiring from professional football.
Reflecting on his career nearly 35 years after the Super Bowl victory, Thomas provided insight into his perspective, saying, "I didn't come in with an attitude of disruption. However, when I exposed my true personality, it was disruptive to other personalities on the team. But it was not disruptive to the performance of the team."
Despite his early exit from the NFL, Thomas's legacy lived on through the memories of his dynamic playing style and his significant contributions to one of the most storied franchises in the league. His sense of accomplishment from his playing days remained unmatched, as he himself noted, "It's a sense of accomplishment that ... like I haven't had anything to replace it yet."
The NFL community mourns the loss of a player whose career, though tumultuous, was marked by moments of brilliance that helped set the stage for the Dallas Cowboys' future successes.