Bruce Thornton (defensive lineman)

Updated on Oct 19, 2023

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Place of birth: Detroit, MI Name Bruce Thornton Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Role American football player		High school: Chadsey (MI) Weight 88 kg College: Illinois Positions Defensive end
Date of birth: (1958-02-14) February 14, 1958 (age 57) NFL draft: 1979 / Round: 8 / Pick: 219 Education University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign

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Bruce Edward Thornton (born February 14, 1958 in Detroit, Michigan) is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and the St. Louis Cardinals. He finished his career with the Denver Gold of the United States Football League. In 1977, he was named to All-Big 10 academic team while he played college football for the University of Illinois.

Early years

Thornton attended Chadsey High School before moving on to the University of Illinois. As a junior, he was a starter at defensive tackle and led the Big Ten Conference in sacks with 10. In his final year, he was moved to a backup role to John Thiede, on a team that finished with a record of 1-8-2.

Dallas Cowboys

Thornton was selected in the eighth round (219th overall) of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, after dropping because of his diminished production as a college senior. As a rookie, he helped to compensate the loss of Ed "Too Tall" Jones to his boxing retirement, by coming on passing downs in place of Larry Cole at left defensive end and unofficially finishing second on the team with 6 sacks. That season his best game came against the Chicago Bears when he registered 2 sacks and a blocked extra point.

He remained as a pass-rush specialist during the rest of his career with the Cowboys. He was waived on August 31, 1981, before being re-signed during the season. He was cut on September 6, 1982.

St. Louis Cardinals

Thornton was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals on September 7, 1982. He was placed on the injured reserve list on August 30, 1983, before being released on October 4.

Chicago Blitz (USFL)

On November 22, 1983, he was signed by the Chicago Blitz of the United States Football League. On March 28, 1984, he was traded to the Denver Gold in exchange for linebacker Bob Knapton and an undisclosed 1985 draft choice.