Former Dallas Cowboys running back Duane Thomas, who rushed for 95 yards in the team’s first Super Bowl victory, died at age 77, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Thomas’ cause of death was not revealed.
“The Great Duane Thomas passed away yesterday,” Thomas’ former teammate Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson posted on Facebook Monday. “He was a great Cowboy. On his come back he was one of my roommates in Thousand Oaks. Lots of laughs and moments.RIP DUANE THOMAS”
As a rookie in 1970, Thomas led the Cowboys with 803 rushing yards and had 100-yard playoff performances against the Lions and 49ers.
But in the offseason, he criticized Cowboys management after they refused to renegotiate his contract even calling head coach Tom Landry a “plastic man.”
He was traded to the Patriots, but then-NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle voided the trade between Dallas and New England.
Thomas found himself back inn Dallas but vowed not to speak to teammates, coaches or the media all season.
“I’m remembered for my silence,” he acknowledged in 1988. “Everywhere I go, people say, ‘Why didn’t you say anything, Duane?”
Thomas did his talking on the field in 1971, leading the league in rushing touchdowns (11) and total touchdowns (13).
He scored a touchdown in each of Dallas’ three postseason wins, including Super Bowl VI. The 24-3 win over the Dolphins gave the Cowboys their first Super Bowl title.
After the game, CBS broadcaster Tom Brookshier asked Thomas if he was as fast as he looked to which Thomas replied, “Evidently.”
Years later, Sports Illustrated’s Paul Zimmerman wrote that scribes almost unanimously voted for Thomas for Super Bowl MVP but Sport Magazine announced quarterback Roger Staubach as the winner — as the recipient was expected to give a speech.
It was Thomas’ final game with the Cowboys.
In 1972, he was traded to the Chargers but was suspended by the team for failing to report and never played for San Diego.
Thomas spent two seasons with Washington and also played for The Hawaiians of the World Football League.
Comeback stints with the Cowboys and Packers were unsuccessful.
A 2004 Sports Illustrated story said he took on carpentry work and moving jobs.
Ironically, Thomas is responsible for one of the great football quotes when he was asked about the Super Bowl: “If it’s the ultimate [game], how come they’re playing it again next year?”
