Former Dallas Cowboys running back Duane Thomas, famous for his role in the team’s inaugural Super Bowl win and his unique personality, passed away on August 4, 2024, at 77 years old. The Cowboys announced his death to the Dallas Morning News. He died of a pulmonary embolism according to his daughter Jamila Pamoja Thomas.
Thomas, a Dallas, Texas native, showed early signs of football talent. After playing college football at West Texas State University, the Cowboys picked him in the first round of the 1970 NFL Draft. His first season was striking, with Thomas rushing for 803 yards and clinching the NFL Rookie of the Year title. He played a significant role in the Cowboys’ journey to Super Bowl V, where they narrowly lost to the Baltimore Colts.
In the 1971 season, Thomas reached the pinnacle of his career. He led the NFL with 11 rushing touchdowns and was instrumental in the Cowboys’ first Super Bowl victory, a 24-3 win against the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. Thomas’s 95 rushing yards and a touchdown in that game were crucial to the Cowboys’ win. He was the inaugural player to score a touchdown at Texas Stadium and was selected for the All-Pro team.
Yet, Thomas’s professional career was also marked by controversy. Unhappy with his contract, he asked for a renegotiation which the Cowboys denied. This prompted a trade to the New England Patriots, which was later nullified by then-NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, and Thomas was back with the Cowboys. During the 1971 season, he did not interact with his teammates, coaches, or the media, adding to his enigmatic image.
His teammates admired Thomas’s skills and determination. Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach described Thomas as a player who gave his all, excelling in blocking, running, and playing with intelligence and minimal errors. Another Cowboys icon, Bob Lilly, likened Thomas to Jim Brown, noting Thomas’s knack for evading defenders with similar elusive moves.
Despite his achievements on the field, Thomas’s relationship with the Cowboys soured. He was traded to the San Diego Chargers ahead of the 1972 season but didn’t report, resulting in his suspension. Thomas later joined the Washington Redskins, where he played for two seasons before retiring from the NFL with 2,038 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.
Thomas’s legacy is multifaceted. He is remembered as a symbol of talent and individuality, recognized for his contributions to the Cowboys’ triumphs and his resistance to conform to the standards of professional football. His story continues to resonate with those who value the complex interplay between talent and personality in sports.