Duane Thomas, a former NFL running back known for his unparalleled talent and tumultuous career, has passed away at the age of 77. As a key figure on the Dallas Cowboys' first Super Bowl championship team, Thomas' contributions to the sport were both remarkable and significant.
A Star is Born
Thomas burst onto the scene with one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history. During the 1971 offseason, he became an essential part of the Cowboys' journey to their inaugural Super Bowl. With a league-best 5.3 yards-per-carry average, Thomas set a franchise record that stood unchallenged until Emmitt Smith matched it in 1993.
However, Thomas' exceptional performance on the field was accompanied by off-field complications. Seeking a pay raise for his remarkable contributions, Thomas found himself at odds with the Cowboys' management. This disagreement led to his trade to New England—a move that was ultimately vetoed by NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle.
Silent but Mighty
Undeterred, Thomas returned to Dallas and spent the entire 1971 season in silence, letting his performance speak volumes. He led the NFL in rushing touchdowns during the 1971 season, propelling the Cowboys to their sixth consecutive division title.
Thomas' prowess reached its zenith during Dallas' playoff run, scoring three touchdowns over three games, including one in Super Bowl VI. In that championship game, Thomas delivered an impressive 95 rushing yards on 19 carries, a 3-yard touchdown run, and three receptions, leading the Cowboys to a dominant 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
The End of an Era
Despite his tremendous contributions, Thomas' time with the Cowboys was cut short. Before the 1972 season began, the Cowboys released him. Thomas did not participate in the 1972 NFL season.
He later joined the Washington team, where he spent two seasons before retiring from the NFL. Reflecting on his career nearly 35 years after his Super Bowl victory, Thomas' legacy remained a topic of fervent discussion among football aficionados.
A Legacy Remembered
Thomas' former teammates and coaches often spoke highly of him. Roger Staubach once said, "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 Bob Lilly, who noted, "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, the ones where you think you have him, and he wiggles out of it or he gives up a limp leg. 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."
A Complex Personality
Thomas himself was introspective about his career and impact on the game. He admitted, "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." His introspection was accompanied by a deep sense of accomplishment, as he expressed, "It's a sense of accomplishment that ... like I haven't had anything to replace it yet."
Duane Thomas' journey through the NFL was as complex as it was extraordinary. His unmatched skills on the field and his enigmatic personality off it ensured that he would be remembered as one of the sport's most intriguing figures. As the football world mourns his passing, his legacy as a pivotal part of the Dallas Cowboys' first Super Bowl triumph endures.