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Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

BBMKT-08578_-_Hall_of_Fame_Page_Headers_Thomas (1)

2007 Inductee

Career Highlights

First NFL player to lead the NFL in yards from scrimmage in four consecutive seasons (1989-92).

Third back in history to record 400 receptions and 10,000 rushing yards.

Five-time Pro Bowl selection and 1991 NFL Most Valuable Player.

Thurman Thomas developed into one of the NFL's most versatile and dangerous offensive players in his 13 years in the league. He was also known as one of the team's most emotional leaders for the Buffalo Bills – a team that won more games (103) than any AFC team in the 1990s.

His ability to catch the ball as well as run with it was a key ingredient to the Bills' "No Huddle" offensive attack. The team improved to 13-3 in 1990 as Thomas led the NFL in all-purpose yards. He rushed for 1,297 yards and scored 11 touchdowns while catching 49 passes for 532 yards and two touchdowns. With the versatile back leading the way, the Bills marched through the playoffs to the first of their unprecedented four straight Super Bowl berths.  In 1991, Thomas amassed more than 2,000 all-purpose yards, just the 11th player ever to do so. His league-leading yardage output included 1,407 yards on the ground and an additional 631 yards on a career-high 62 receptions. He scored 12 touchdowns. He reached the 2,000-yard total again the following season which marked a record fourth straight season of leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage.

Named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s, Thomas was selected first- or second-team All-Pro and All-AFC five times, and was voted to the Pro Bowl five straight years. Thomas retired as the NFL's ninth ranked rusher with 12,074 yards and added another 4,458 yards on 472 catches. He scored 65 rushing and 23 receiving touchdowns in his 13-season career.

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