Tulsa World: Thomas joining College Hall

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Thomas joining College Hall
Ex-OSU tailback set to be inducted into Hall of Fame tonight.

Former OSU tailback Thurman Thomas ran for 4,595 yards on 898 attempts and remains the school's all-time leading rusher. Tulsa World file

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 12/9/2008 2:27 AM
Last Modified: 12/9/2008 3:30 AM

Read highlights of the college careers of Thurman Thomas, Troy Aikman and John Cooper.

When former Oklahoma State coach Pat Jones reflects on the career of tailback Thurman Thomas, Jones dwells not on rushing yards or touchdowns, but on toughness.

Jones said it 10 years ago and 20 years ago, and he said it again this week: "Thurman might have been as tough as anybody I've ever coached."

"I've always known that Pat felt that way about me. To me, that's special," said Thomas, who on Tuesday in New York will be inducted into the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame. "We've always had a close relationship. He's the reason why I became a tough football player."

Thomas' toughness was most evident when he played the entire 1986 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He had been injured during an offseason pickup basketball game, but doctors elected not to perform major surgery because Thomas' mobility was not profoundly diminished.

Outfitted with a large brace, Thomas still led the 1986 Cowboys with 741 rushing yards. In 1985 (1,553 yards) and 1987 (1,613), he was the Big Eight offensive player of the year. Thomas also remains No. 1 on the Cowboys' career rushing list.

"It didn't make any difference what the temperature was or if (Thomas) was hurt or who the opponent was. He loved to play football," said OSU coach Mike Gundy, who was Thomas' quarterback for two seasons. "Thirteen years in the NFL is unbelievable, and especially for a player at that position. He should be in all of the halls of fame. He's already gotten in the most difficult one (the Pro Football Hall of Fame)."

The 2008 list of College Football Hall of Fame inductees also includes:

Troy Aikman, who played at Henryetta before becoming the starting quarterback at Oklahoma and ultimately an All-American QB at UCLA.

John Cooper, who coached at the University of Tulsa before coaching Rose Bowl-winning teams at Arizona State and Ohio State.

Lou Holtz, who before coaching Notre Dame to the 1988 national title had recorded 60 wins in seven seasons at Arkansas.

"People know Barry Sanders was a great back, but they don't know how good Thurman Thomas was," Cooper said recently. "He was about as good a college back as you're going to play against. Everything vision, agility, ability to see the hole, acceleration. Thurman had (it) all."

The 42-year-old Thomas resides in the Buffalo area, where he owns three athletic training facilities and does television and radio work. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year.

Membership in the College Football Hall of Fame, Thomas says, "just means that I did my job in college. I played with some great players Gundy, Hart Lee (Dykes), Barry (Sanders), Leslie O'Neal. I've always been a team player. I'm not only going in for myself, but for the guys who played here at Oklahoma State University."

As one of the 114 Harris Interactive Poll voters, Thomas says he has closely followed college football this season. He attended Bedlam and participated in the Cowboys' pregame ritual — the team walk from the campus hotel to the stadium.

Thomas walked with Cowboy QB Zac Robinson. While Robinson was given a rock-star reception by the thousands of fans who lined Hester Street, Thomas apparently was recognized mostly by older fans.

"Everybody was like, 'Hey, where's Zac?' " Thomas said with a laugh. "I was standing right next to him and everybody was like, 'There's Zac! There's Zac!' Some guy with a cane was like, 'Hey, Thurman! How you doing?'e_STnS"

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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Rhymeister, Tulsa (12/9/2008 7:47:59 AM)

One of the most underrated running backs ever IMO. Even by Ok State fans because of how great Barry Sanders was but people forget that "Thurmas" (my nickname for Thurman) kept him relegated to special teams and backup duty.

Hope he is able to come back for a game every season. You are always welcome in Oklahoma, Thurman!!!

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