Duane Thomas, the former Cowboys running back and Super Bowl champion, has passed away at the age of 77. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
‘The Great Duane Thomas has left us,’ his ex-teammate Thomas ‘Hollywood’ Henderson shared on social media.
‘He was a wonderful Cowboy. During my comeback, he was my roommate in Thousand Oaks. Many laughs and unforgettable moments. Rest in peace.‘
In 1971, Thomas played a pivotal role in helping the Cowboys secure their first Super Bowl victory, rushing for 793 yards and leading the league with 11 touchdowns. He also had 13 receptions for 153 yards and two touchdowns.
In the 1971 postseason, he added a total of 205 yards and three touchdowns, including 95 yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl VI, where Dallas triumphed over the Miami Dolphins 24-3.
Duane Thomas, the former Cowboys running back and Super Bowl winner, has passed away at 77
As a rookie in the NFL in 1970, Thomas was instrumental in leading the Cowboys to the Super Bowl
‘Hollywood’ Henderson continued: ‘He slept just a few feet away from me, and he was a man of few words. He was a serene individual.‘
Born and raised in Dallas, Thomas played college football at West Texas State in the Texas Panhandle and was a first-round draft pick for the Cowboys in 1970.
During his rookie year, Thomas contributed to the Cowboys’ Super Bowl appearance, although they were unable to shake off the label of “next year’s champions” after losing to Baltimore.
Following the season, Thomas’s request for a contract renegotiation was refused by the Cowboys, leading to his trade to New England. However, he opted not to report to the Patriots, resulting in the contract being voided by then-Commissioner Pete Rozelle.
He was raised in Dallas before becoming a first-round draft pick by the Cowboys in 1970
Throughout the 1971 season, Thomas abstained from speaking to the media, convinced they sided with management, yet he remained a vital part of the team that defeated Miami 24-3, clinching their first Super Bowl championship.
The animosity between Thomas and the Cowboys persisted, resulting in his trade to the San Diego Chargers before the 1972 season.
Thomas did not attend training camp with San Diego and was eventually moved to Washington. He spent the 1972 season inactive and completed the last two of his four professional years with Washington.
In total, Thomas amassed 2,038 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns, with 1,596 yards and 16 touchdowns accrued during his time with the Cowboys.
