Position: Running back Name Mike Thomas Spouse Sylvia Wilkerson | College: UNLV Movies Brotherhood of Death Rushing yards: 4,196 | |
Date of birth: (1953-07-17) July 17, 1953 (age 62) NFL draft: 1975 / Round: 5 / Pick: 108 Role American football running back Education University of Nevada, Las Vegas Number 22 (Washington Redskins / Running back) Children Danielle Thomas, Michael Marie Thomas, Spencer Thomas, Bryan Thomas, Katina LaShawn Thomas | ||
Place of birth: Greenville, Texas Siblings Jimmy Thomas, Earl Thomas | ||
Malcolm "Mike" Thomas (born July 17, 1953) is a former American football player, a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons with the Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers.
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Early years
Born in Greenville, Texas, Thomas graduated from Greenville High School in 1971 and played college football at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Nevada Las Vegas. At the time, UNLV was a Division II program; it moved up to Division I-A in 1978.
Playing career
Thomas was selected in the fifth round of the 1975 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins. In his rookie season, he rushed for 919 yards and was named the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year. The following season in 1976, Washington returned to the playoffs as the wild card team; Thomas ran for over 1,100 yards and went to the Pro Bowl.
In his fourth season in 1978 under first-year head coach Jack Pardee, the Redskins won their first six games. Thomas injured his ankle in that sixth game and sat out the next three games, rather than take painkillers and play on it, and was questioned by many. Washington lost eight of the last ten to finish at 8–8 (.500) and missed the playoffs.
Thomas was traded to the San Diego Chargers in May 1979, where he played two seasons. He was waived by the Chargers in September 1981.
Personal
His older brothers Jimmy and Earl Thomas also played in the NFL.