Duane Thomas, a cornerstone of the Dallas Cowboys' first Super Bowl-winning team, passed away at the age of 77. Remembered for his stellar rookie season and his exceptional contributions to the Cowboys' early success, Thomas leaves behind a legacy that continues to resonate in the annals of NFL history.
An Unforgettable Rookie Season
Entering the 1971 offseason, Duane Thomas had already set the NFL ablaze with one of the most outstanding rookie seasons. His performance helped propel the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl appearance. Thomas's 5.3 yards-per-carry average was a league-best and remained a franchise record until Emmitt Smith equaled it in 1993. This feat underscores his profound impact on the field during his debut season.
However, success brought its own set of challenges. As Thomas sought a much-deserved pay raise entering the 1971 season, a disagreement ensued with Cowboys' management. The impasse led to Thomas being traded to the New England Patriots, a move controversially vetoed by NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle. Thomas returned to Dallas but chose to remain silent throughout the 1971 season.
Unmatched Performance on the Field
Despite the off-field drama, Thomas continued to excel. During the 1971 season, he led the NFL in rushing touchdowns, fortifying the Cowboys' offense as they clinched their sixth consecutive division title. His prowess was prominently on display in Dallas' playoff run, where he scored three touchdowns across three games, including a pivotal performance in Super Bowl VI.
In that championship game, Thomas demonstrated his extraordinary abilities, amassing 95 rushing yards on 19 carries, scoring a 3-yard touchdown run, and contributing three receptions. The Cowboys dominated the Miami Dolphins, emerging victorious with a 24-3 win to secure their first Super Bowl title. Thomas’s efforts on the field were instrumental in this triumph.
A Career Cut Short
Unexpectedly, the Cowboys released Thomas before the 1972 season commenced. He opted out of participating in that year's NFL season. Eventually, Thomas joined the Washington Redskins, where he spent two seasons before retiring from professional football.
Reflecting on his career nearly 35 years after winning the Super Bowl, Thomas offered insights into his own legacy. "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 remarked, shedding light on the complexities of his NFL journey.
Remembering Duane Thomas
Thomas's peers held him in the highest regard. Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach praised him, saying, "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." Such accolades reflect the profound respect Thomas earned from those who played alongside him.
Bob Lilly, a fellow Hall of Famer, reminisced about Thomas's unique abilities. "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."
While Thomas’s career may have been relatively brief, his impact on the game and the memories he created for fans and teammates alike will endure. As he once reflected on his legacy, "It's a sense of accomplishment that ... like I haven't had anything to replace it yet." Thomas’s contributions to the sport, highlighted by his key role in the Cowboys' first Super Bowl victory, ensure that his legacy will remain vivid in the hearts of football enthusiasts forever.