Early Career and Draft
The Cowboys selected duane thomas during a transitional period in franchise history, well before their Super Bowl victories and “America’s Team” designation. Thomas arrived from West Texas State University as the 23rd overall pick in the 1970 NFL draft, bringing exceptional speed, power, and elusiveness that immediately caught the organization’s attention. His athletic profile represented the type of dynamic playmaker Dallas sought to build around during this foundational era.
The selection proved meaningful on multiple levels, particularly given Thomas’s Dallas roots. His emotional response to joining his hometown team reflected the genuine connection between player and city. “I’m so excited, I can’t think,” Thomas told The Associated Press, capturing the raw enthusiasm that would soon translate into on-field production for the developing Cowboys franchise.
Rookie Season and Super Bowl V
During his first professional season, duane thomas established himself as Dallas’s primary ground attack weapon, accumulating 803 rushing yards while also contributing through the air with a touchdown reception. His versatile performance helped propel the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl appearance, though they fell short against Baltimore in a closely contested 16–13 defeat in Super Bowl V.
Thomas’s response to the loss revealed his philosophical approach to competition. His reflection that defeat contains nobility and serves as a prerequisite for understanding true victory demonstrated remarkable maturity for a rookie facing such a significant setback on football’s biggest stage.
Contract Dispute
The summer preceding the 1971 season marked a critical juncture in duane thomas’s professional relationship with the Dallas Cowboys. His contract negotiations revealed fundamental tensions between player compensation expectations and management’s financial structure. Thomas’s ultimatum to retire unless terms were renegotiated demonstrated the growing assertiveness of elite players in salary discussions. His public statements targeting head coach Tom Landry, whom he characterized as “so plastic, just not a man at all,” and general manager Tex Schramm, accused of being “dishonest with me all along,” represented an unprecedented breach of the traditional player-management hierarchy.
The Cowboys’ response proved swift and decisive, trading Thomas to the New England Patriots during training camp. This transaction illustrated how quickly organizational dynamics could shift when player dissatisfaction reached public forums. His subsequent conflicts with Patriots head coach John Mazur over fundamental techniques, specifically regarding three-point stance methodology, indicated that Thomas’s challenges extended beyond financial considerations to encompass broader philosophical differences about football fundamentals and coaching approaches.
Return to Dallas and Super Bowl Victory
Following direct intervention by N.F.L. commissioner Pete Rozelle, Thomas was traded back to Dallas and rejoined the team early in the 1971 season. This commissioner-mediated resolution proved strategically beneficial for both Thomas and the franchise, stabilizing what had become a disruptive situation.
Despite the preceding organizational turmoil, Thomas demonstrated remarkable professional resilience, rushing for 793 yards while leading the league with 11 touchdowns. His statistical performance validated Dallas’s decision to reacquire him. The Cowboys subsequently defeated the Miami Dolphins 24-3 in Super Bowl VI, securing the franchise’s inaugural championship. Thomas’s playoff experience proved invaluable as he led all players in rushing with 95 yards and contributed a crucial touchdown, cementing his role in Dallas’s historic championship achievement.
Later Career
Thomas’s tenure with the Cowboys concluded after the 1971 season when the organization traded him to the San Diego Chargers in 1972. However, his time with San Diego proved entirely unproductive, as he failed to appear in any regular-season games for the franchise. The Chargers subsequently moved him to Washington, where his performance showed modest results across two seasons. During the 1973 and 1974 campaigns, Thomas accumulated 442 rushing yards, demonstrating limited effectiveness compared to his earlier professional output.
The 1975 season marked a turning point when Thomas chose not to report to training camp, prompting his immediate release from the team. His decision effectively ended his established professional career. Following this departure, Thomas attempted multiple comebacks with various professional organizations, but these efforts consistently failed to secure him a roster position or meaningful playing time in competitive leagues.
Death
Duane Thomas passed away on Sunday at his residence in Sedona, Arizona, at age 77. The former Dallas Cowboys running back experienced a remarkable but brief peak during the early 1970s, when his exceptional talent on the field became overshadowed by a widely reported contract disagreement with team management. This dispute proved costly to his professional trajectory, effectively cutting short what could have been a longer, more distinguished career in the National Football League.
According to his daughter Jamila Pamoja-Thomas, the cause of death was determined to be a pulmonary embolism, a serious medical condition involving blood clots in the lungs.
Legacy
Thomas leaves behind a substantial family legacy, survived by his wife Tapzyana Thomas, six children, a stepson, one sister, one brother, fifteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. This extensive family network represents the personal foundation that supported him throughout his professional career and public controversies.
His decision to maintain silence with reporters during his contentious period with the Cowboys reveals a calculated approach to protest. Thomas characterized this media boycott as “my way of performing, of telling people I still didn’t agree with what the Cowboys were doing,” indicating his strategic use of public attention as leverage.
This silent protest method demonstrates Thomas’s understanding of media dynamics and public relations. As he explained, “It was a way of protesting my treatment in a quiet way,” showing his preference for measured resistance over vocal confrontation when addressing organizational conflicts.
John Coleman is a seasoned sports writer and analyst with over seven years of experience covering American and European sports. His expertise encompasses football, baseball, basketball, and MMA. Known for his insightful analysis and historical perspective, John crafts compelling narratives, in-depth match analyses, and offers unique behind-the-scenes perspectives that connect with both fans and athletes.
