Todd Thomas (American football)

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Todd Thomas
refer to caption
Thomas with the New Jersey Generals in 1983
No. 62, 77, 74, 61
Position:Long snapper,
Center,
Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born:(1959-12-02)December 2, 1959
Mankato, Minnesota, U.S.
Died:March 5, 2000(2000-03-05) (aged 40)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:284 lb (129 kg)
Career information
High school:Cedarburg
(Cedarburg, Wisconsin)
College:North Dakota (1977–1980)
NFL draft:1981 / Round: 5 / Pick: 124
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games played:15
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Todd Robin Thomas (December 2, 1959 – March 5, 2000) was an

1981 NFL Draft
in the fifth round with the 124th overall pick.

Early years

Thomas graduated from Cedarburg High School in 1977 and was a letterman in football, baseball, and basketball. In football, he was a tackle as well as the team's long snapper.[1] On February 15, 2014, he was inducted into the Cedarburg High School Athletic Hall of Fame.[2]

College career

He played tackle at North Dakota and also served as the long snapper. In 1981, he graduated with a degree in chemical engineering.[3] He was inducted into the University of North Dakota Letterwinners Association Hall of Fame in 2000.[4]

Professional career

Kansas City Chiefs

The

injured reserve on December 15 through the remainder of the 1981 season. On September 6, 1982, the Chiefs released him.[9]

United States Football League (USFL)

Thomas signed with the

waivers from the Arizona Wranglers on May 18, 1984.[12]
He played tackle.

Philadelphia Eagles

After two seasons in the USFL, Thomas returned to the

He remained on injured reserve for the entire 1984 season, and then retired from football due to his back injury.

Later life and death

After ending his football career Thomas utilized his background in chemical engineering, eventually earning seven patents. Moreover, Thomas was considered an expert in under balanced drilling techniques.[15] Thomas died from lung cancer on March 5, 2000 at the age of 40. That same year, he was inducted into the University of North Dakota Hall of Fame.[16]

References

  1. ^ Van Sickle, Gary Badgers star for Sioux The Milwaukee Journal, October 9, 1980, accessed August 12, 2011
  2. ^ "TODD THOMAS – Athlete (Class of 1977)". www.cedarburg.sportngin.com. Retrieved 2014-02-16.
  3. ^ Thomas named All-American The Milwaukee Journal, December 18, 1980, accessed August 12, 2011
  4. ^ University of North Dakota Letterwinners Association Hall of Fame
  5. ^ 1981 NFL Draft, Round 5
  6. ^ "Todd Thomas Stats, News and Video – LB".
  7. .
  8. ^ Dolphins Win Playoff Spot; Topple Chiefs The News and Courier, December 14, 1981, accessed August 12, 2011
  9. ^ .
  10. ^ Generals Trade 2 And Release 10 The New York Times, February 14, 1984, accessed August 12, 2011
  11. ^ TRANSACTIONS Spokane Chronicle, May 19, 1984, accessed August 12, 2011
  12. ^ Cook, Ron Correal shocked by release The Pittsburgh Press, June 8, 1984, accessed August 12, 2011
  13. ^ Eagles sign Thomas Gettysburg Times, July 23, 1984, accessed February 2, 2012
  14. ^ Parcells names Simms top quarterback, blasts Carson Record-Journal, August 15, 1984, accessed August 12, 2011
  15. ^ "2015 UND Football Media Guide".
  16. ^ "TODD THOMAS – Athlete (Class of 1977)". www.cedarburg.sportngin.com. Retrieved 2014-02-16.