Duane Thomas: Remembering a Legend
The sports world mourns the passing of Duane Thomas, the former NFL running back who has died at the age of 77. Thomas, known for his unparalleled contributions to the Dallas Cowboys, leaves behind a legacy of both talent and controversy.
Thomas was a linchpin of the Dallas Cowboys' first Super Bowl-winning team. Arriving in the NFL with a bang, he delivered one of the most remarkable rookie seasons in the league’s history as he stepped into the 1971 offseason. His performance on the field was nothing short of spectacular, with a league-best 5.3 yards-per-carry average that helped the Cowboys reach their inaugural Super Bowl. This franchise record remained unmatched until Emmitt Smith equaled it in 1993.
Despite his achievements, Thomas sought a pay raise as he approached the 1971 season—a request that the Cowboys' management declined. This standoff led to Thomas being traded to the New England Patriots, only for the move to be vetoed by the NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle. The running back returned to Dallas and adopted a silence that lasted the entire 1971 season.
But Thomas let his performance on the field do the talking. He led the NFL in rushing touchdowns that season, propelling the Cowboys to their sixth consecutive division title. In the Cowboys' playoff run, he scored three touchdowns across three games, including a memorable performance with 95 rushing yards on 19 carries, a 3-yard touchdown run, and three receptions in Super Bowl VI. The Cowboys triumphed over the Miami Dolphins 24-3, largely thanks to Thomas' efforts.
However, despite his vital contributions, the Cowboys released Thomas before the 1972 season began. He opted not to participate in the 1972 NFL season but later joined the Washington team, spending two seasons with them before retiring from the NFL.
Over the years, Thomas has been remembered fondly by his teammates and peers. Roger Staubach, the famed Cowboys quarterback, once remarked, "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.” Bob Lilly, another Cowboys legend, likened Thomas to one of football’s greatest: "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." Lilly’s poetic recollection captures the sheer artistry of Thomas’ gameplay, a testament to the indelible mark he left on the sport.
Thomas himself reflected on his legacy almost 35 years after winning the Super Bowl, acknowledging the sense of accomplishment his career had brought him. "It's a sense of accomplishment that ... like I haven't had anything to replace it yet," he said. Though his journey was not without its challenges, Thomas knew he had left an impact that time could not erase.
Throughout his career, Thomas navigated the complex dynamics of team sports. "I didn't come in with an attitude of disruption," he once stated. "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."
As the sports community bids farewell to Duane Thomas, his legacy as a trailblazer on and off the field continues to resonate. His contributions to the game of football are immortalized not only in records and victories but also in the memories and testimonies of those who had the privilege of witnessing his brilliance firsthand.