Duane Thomas: A Silent Legend of the NFL Passes Away at 77
Duane Thomas, one of the most enigmatic yet impactful running backs in NFL history, has died at 77. A cornerstone of the Dallas Cowboys' first Super Bowl-winning team, Thomas leaves behind a legacy marked by extraordinary talent, unfulfilled potential, and a complex relationship with the game and its management.
Thomas catapulted into the NFL spotlight with one of the most impressive rookie seasons in league history. Entering the 1971 offseason, his performance on the field was nothing short of spectacular. He was the engine behind the Cowboys' offensive machine that culminated in their first Super Bowl appearance. Thomas' explosive 5.3 yards-per-carry average during the regular season set a franchise record that held firm until 1993, when Emmitt Smith finally matched it.
From Stardom to Silence
Success brought Thomas into conflict with Cowboys management. Entering the 1971 season, he sought a pay raise as recognition for his groundbreaking contributions. The negotiation collapsed, leading to Thomas being traded to the New England Patriots. However, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle vetoed the move, and Thomas returned to Dallas under a cloud of tension. Despite the off-field drama, he let his games do the talking—or rather, his remarkable silence did. Thomas did not speak to coaches or teammates for the entire 1971 season.
Despite his self-imposed muteness, Thomas led the NFL in rushing touchdowns that year and was integral in securing the Cowboys' sixth consecutive division title. His playoff performance was equally astonishing. Thomas scored three crucial touchdowns across three games, including a standout game in Super Bowl VI. In the grand finale against the Miami Dolphins, he ran for 95 yards on 19 carries, scored a 3-yard touchdown, and made three receptions, helping the Cowboys to a resounding 24-3 victory.
A Legacy of Intrigue and Talent
However, the triumph of Super Bowl VI marked the end of Thomas' run with the Cowboys. He was released before the start of the 1972 season and did not participate that year. He later joined the Washington Redskins for two seasons before quietly retiring from football.
Thomas' enigmatic nature fascinated both fans and peers. "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," said Roger Staubach, his former teammate. Such sentiments echo through the annals of NFL history, celebrating a player whose abilities were often compared to the legendary Jim Brown.
Bob Lilly, another Cowboy legend, reminisced about Thomas with vivid imagery, "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."
Reflections on a Complicated Hero
Years after his retirement, Thomas reflected on his time in the NFL with a mixture of pride and contemplation. "I didn't come in with an attitude of disruption. 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," he once remarked, adding a layer of complexity to his legacy. He recognized the unique sense of accomplishment he'd experienced, noting, "It's a sense of accomplishment that ... like I haven't had anything to replace it yet."
Duane Thomas' career may have been relatively short, but his impact was lasting. His contributions to the Cowboys' first Super Bowl win and his record-setting performances remain etched in the history of the NFL. As the league looks back on his achievements and the man behind them, Thomas' story serves as a reminder of the allure and challenges of professional football.