Duane Thomas, a former NFL running back who etched his name indelibly in the annals of football history, has passed away at the age of 77. A critical figure in the Dallas Cowboys' rise to their first Super Bowl championship, Thomas left a legacy marked by stellar performance and a tumultuous relationship with team management.
The Rise of a Star
Thomas burst onto the NFL scene with an outstanding rookie season that remains one of the best in league history. Entering the 1971 offseason, his presence was a transformative force for the Cowboys. His league-best 5.3 yards-per-carry average was not only a standout statistic but also a franchise record that held firm until Emmitt Smith equaled it in 1993.
Roger Staubach, a teammate and fellow legend, encapsulated Thomas' impact succinctly: "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."
Conflict Amidst Greatness
But as Thomas sought a pay raise entering the 1971 season, his relationship with the team soured. Despite his pivotal contributions, Cowboys' management refused to adjust his salary, leading Thomas to seek greener pastures. A trade to New England was in the cards, but NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle vetoed the move, forcing Thomas to return to Dallas under a cloud of discontent.
Choosing silence as his form of protest, Thomas didn’t utter a word through the entire 1971 season. His on-field performance, however, spoke volumes. Leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns, Thomas was instrumental in driving the Cowboys to their sixth consecutive division title. His playoff heroics included three touchdowns over three games, culminating in a strong performance in Super Bowl VI where he amassed 95 rushing yards on 19 carries and scored a 3-yard touchdown.
Bob Lilly, another of Thomas' teammates, vividly recalled his unparalleled skill. "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 shared.
A Championship Run and Beyond
The Cowboys' victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI by a decisive 24-3 highlighted Thomas’ indispensable role. However, the following season saw him released by the team, and Thomas chose to sit out the 1972 NFL season rather than find a new team immediately. Eventually, he joined Washington, where he spent two seasons before stepping away from professional football for good.
Reflecting on His Legacy
Despite the complexities of his career, Thomas looked back on his achievements with a sense of profound accomplishment. "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," Thomas reflected. "It's a sense of accomplishment that ... like I haven't had anything to replace it yet."
Even after nearly 35 years since he last donned an NFL uniform, Duane Thomas remains a figure revered not just for his undeniable talent but for the enigmatic and often misunderstood persona he carried. His contributions were quite literally instrumental in shaping the Cowboys' path to glory, leaving behind a legacy that continues to spark admiration and reflection in the football world.
As the football fraternity mourns the passing of a remarkable player, the echoes of Duane Thomas’ exploits on the gridiron will long endure—a testament to a player whose brilliance was only matched by his mystique.