Ken Thomas (American football)

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Ken Thomas
Position:Running back
Personal information
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
NFL Draft:1983 / Round: 7 / Pick: 173
Career history
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× All-PCAA (1979, 1981)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:15
Rushing yards:55
Touchdowns:0
Receptions:28
Receiving yards:236
Receiving touchdowns:1
Player stats at PFR

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.

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. 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]

Professional career[]

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]

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. ^ a b c "Trio to join HHS grid hall". Hanford Sentinel. June 18, 2010.
  3. ^ "San Jose State University Football 2017 Media Guide" (PDF).
  4. ^ McMullen, Matt (April 7, 2020). "A Historical Look at the Chiefs' Seventh-Round Draft Picks". Chiefs.com.
  5. ^ "The Greatest Kansas City Chiefs, By the Numbers: #35". arrowheadpride.com.
  6. ^ Stallard, Mark (2001). "KC Chiefs All-Time Roster". Kansas City Chiefs Encyclopedia. Sports Publishing LLC. p. 303. ISBN 9781582612751.
  7. ^ "The Kansas City Chiefs waived 10 players Monday, including..." United Press International.
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