Ike Thomas

Isaac Thomas (born November 4, 1947) is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and the Buffalo Bills. He played at Bishop College and was drafted in the second round of the 1971 NFL Draft.

Early years

Thomas attended Langston High School in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He would go on to play college football at Bishop College and also participated in the 1971 College All-Star Game against the Baltimore Colts.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Thomas, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2nd round of the 1971 NFL Draft. He had 2 kickoff returns for touchdowns his rookie season with the Cowboys.

One of those returns was a then franchise record 101 yard score against the NY Jets,^[1] which still remains the record for a Cowboys rookie, but is tied with Bryan McCann and Amos Marsh for the second-longest play in Cowboys history, behind Alexander Wright's 102-yard kickoff return against the Atlanta Falcons in 1991.^[2]

He played only one season with the Cowboys averaging 42.1 yards per kickoff return and was part of the winning team in Super Bowl VI. He was traded on September 5, 1972, to the Green Bay Packers along with punter Ron Widby for a 1973 second round draft choice.^[3] The Cowboys used the draft choice to select Golden Richards.

Green Bay Packers

Thomas continued to return kickoffs while in Green Bay and had over 1,000 return yards in 2 seasons with the Packers. In 1973 he was used as a wide receiver before being moved back to cornerback.^[4] He was waived on August 15, 1974 season.^[5]

New York Stars / Charlotte Hornets (WFL)

In 1974, he signed with the New York Stars of the World Football League and was the starter at strong safety.^[6] In October, the team moved to Charlotte and was renamed as the Charlotte Hornets.^[7]

Buffalo Bills

In 1975, he signed with the Buffalo Bills. Thomas had his only 2 interceptions in the NFL that year, before being released on September 4, 1976.^[8] During his NFL career he played 37 games in 4 years, with 1,394 kickoff return yards, 2 interceptions and 2 touchdowns.

Toronto Argonauts (CFL)

In 1977 he signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League and played there for one season before being released.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL)

In 1978 he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League, playing most of the season before being put on the injured reserve list with a broken hand. He retired on November 14, 1979.^[9]

References