Ken Thomas (February 11, 1960 — November 13, 2002) was a professional American football running back who played in the National Football League. He played college football at San Jose State.
Personal information | |||||||||||||
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Born: | (1960-02-11)February 11, 1960 Hanford, California | ||||||||||||
Died: | (2002-11-13)November 13, 2002 | ||||||||||||
Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||||||||||||
Weight: | 211 lb (96 kg) | ||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||
High school: | Hanford (Hanford, California) | ||||||||||||
College: | San Jose State | ||||||||||||
Position: | Running back | ||||||||||||
NFL Draft: | 1983 / Round: 7 / Pick: 173 | ||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||
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Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
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]
Thomas was named All-Pacific Coast Athletic Association in 1979 and 1981, when he was also a second-team NEA All-America selection. 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).[3] 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]
Thomas was selected in the seventh round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.[4][5] 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.[6] 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.[7]
Thomas's older brother, Jewerl Thomas, also played football at SJSU and in the NFL. Thomas died in 2002.[2]
Kansas City Chiefs 1983 NFL draft selections | |
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