Ken Thomas (American football)

Ken Thomas (February 11, 1960 — November 13, 2002) was a professional American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at San José State University.

Ken Thomas
No. 35
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born:(1960-02-11)February 11, 1960
Hanford, California, U.S.
Died:November 13, 2002(2002-11-13) (aged 42)
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:211 lb (96 kg)
Career information
High school:Hanford
College:San Jose State
NFL draft:1983 / Round: 7 / Pick: 173
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:15
Rushing yards:55
Touchdowns:0
Receptions:28
Receiving yards:236
Receiving touchdowns:1
Player stats at PFR

Early life and high school

Thomas was born and grew up in Hanford, California and attended Hanford High School, where he competed in football, track and basketball.[1] Thomas was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2010.[2]

College career

Thomas was named All-Pacific Coast Athletic Association in 1979 and 1981, when he was also a second-team NEA All-America selection.[3] Thomas tied the school record with 14 interceptions and holds the record for interceptions returned for touchdowns in a season (3) and for a career (5).[4] Thomas also ran track at SJSU and was named an All-American 1981 as a member of the Spartans' 400-meter relay team that finished fifth at the NCAA championships.[2]

Professional career

Thomas was selected in the seventh round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.[5][6][7] He was moved to running back in the preseason and rushed for 55 yards on 15 carries and caught 28 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown.[8] Thomas injured his knee in a preseason game in 1984 an spent the season on injured reserve and 1985 on the physically unable to perform list before ultimately retiring.[9]

Personal life

Thomas's older brother, Jewerl Thomas, also played football at SJSU and in the NFL. Thomas died in 2002.[2]

References
  1. "Thomas changes spots again". Spartan Daily. August 30, 1982.
  2. "Trio to join HHS grid hall". Hanford Sentinel. June 18, 2010.
  3. Murray Olderman (November 28, 1981). "NEA's 1981 All-America football team". Mattoon (IL) Journal Gazette. p. 14. Retrieved June 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "San Jose State University Football 2017 Media Guide" (PDF).
  5. "1983 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  6. McMullen, Matt (April 7, 2020). "A Historical Look at the Chiefs' Seventh-Round Draft Picks". Chiefs.com.
  7. "The Greatest Kansas City Chiefs, By the Numbers: #35". arrowheadpride.com. August 20, 2009.
  8. Stallard, Mark (2001). "KC Chiefs All-Time Roster". Kansas City Chiefs Encyclopedia. Sports Publishing LLC. p. 303. ISBN 9781582612751.
  9. "The Kansas City Chiefs waived 10 players Monday, including..." United Press International.
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