Bruce Thornton (defensive lineman)

Bruce Thornton
No. 77, 79
Position:	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	263 lb (119 kg)
Career information
High school:	Detroit (MI) Chadsey
College:	Illinois
NFL draft:	1979 / Round: 8 / Pick: 219
Career history
	Dallas Cowboys (1979–1981); St. Louis Cardinals (1982–1983); Chicago Blitz (USFL) (1984)*; Denver Gold (USFL) (1984–1985);
	* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
	All-USFL Selection (1985);
Career NFL statistics
Games played:
Games played:	47
	Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Bruce Edward Thornton (born February 14, 1958, in

University of Illinois

.

Early years

Thornton attended

saxophonist

and received music scholarships offers.

He accepted a football scholarship from the

University of Illinois. As a junior, he was a starter at defensive tackle and led the Big Ten Conference in sacks with 10. In his final year, he was moved to a backup role behind John Thiede, on a team that finished with a record of 1–8–2. He finished his college career with 32 sacks, placing him at the time fifth in school's history.^[1]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Thornton was selected by the

extra point.^[3]

In 1980, the return of Jones reduced his playing time, unofficially posting 3 sacks, including one against Vince Ferragamo in the NFC Wild Card Game. He would remain as a pass-rush specialist during the rest of his career with the Cowboys.^[4]

Thornton was waived on August 31, 1981,^[5] before being re-signed after Don Smerek injured a knee in the second game of the season and was placed on the injured reserve list. He was cut on September 6, 1982.^[6]

St. Louis Cardinals

On September 7, 1982, he was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals.^[7] He was placed on the injured reserve list on August 30, 1983,^[8] before being released on October 4.

Chicago Blitz (USFL)

On November 22, 1983, he was signed by the Chicago Blitz of the United States Football League.^[9] On March 28, 1984, he was traded to the Denver Gold in exchange for linebacker Bob Knapton and an undisclosed 1985 draft choice.^[10]

Denver Gold (USFL)

In 1985, he led the Denver Gold in sacks with 12.5 (third in the league) and received All-League honors.

Personal life

His son Kalen Thornton also played for the Dallas Cowboys.

References

^ "Cowboys' Thornton has last laugh on Illinois coach". Chicago Tribune. September 17, 1979. p. 52.
^ "Steelers try out two players". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
^ "Cowboys' Experience Tops Bears". Archived from the original on April 1, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
^ "Ditka Eyed As Bear Boss". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
^ "Johnson doesn't plan on leaving Dallas lineup". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
^ "Gold Gets End". Retrieved January 13, 2023.

[1] "Cowboys' Thornton has last laugh on Illinois coach". Chicago Tribune. September 17, 1979. p. 52.

[2] "Steelers try out two players". Retrieved January 13, 2023.

[3] "Cowboys' Experience Tops Bears". Archived from the original on April 1, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2023.

[4] "Ditka Eyed As Bear Boss". Retrieved January 13, 2023.

[5] "Johnson doesn't plan on leaving Dallas lineup". Retrieved January 13, 2023.

[6] "Transactions". Retrieved January 13, 2023.

[7] "Transactions". Retrieved January 13, 2023.

[8] "Transactions". Retrieved January 13, 2023.

[9] "Transactions". Retrieved January 13, 2023.

[10] "Gold Gets End". Retrieved January 13, 2023.

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