The Dallas Cowboys are one of the NFL’s most storied franchises. While they have not seen much playoff success recently, they have won many championships. Championships are won by great players, and the Cowboys have no shortage of legends. It is always a sad day when an NFL legend passes away and the sports world mourns the loss of another. Former running back Duane Thomas has passed away at the age of 77.
Dallas Cowboys Duane Thomas Passes Away
The Dallas Cowboys confirmed the passing of Duane Thomas on Tuesday. No further details were given. Thomas was a true Texas kid. He grew up in Dallas and went to college at West Texas State before being drafted by the franchise in the 1970 NFL Draft. During his career with the Dallas Cowboys, he had 1,596 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
Thomas had a lot of firsts with the franchise. He was the first player to score at Texas Stadium on October 24, 1971, when he scampered for a 56-yard touchdown against the Patriots. That season ended with the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory. While many fans will remember the Super Bowl, the 1971 season was truly odd for Duane Thomas.
1971 Contract Dispute
After his rookie season, Thomas demanded a contract restructure from the Dallas Cowboys. They rejected his demands and traded him to the New England Patriots. However, he refused to report to the team, and then-commissioner Pete Rozelle voided the trade. Thomas took the field for Dallas but did not talk to the media all season.
Even after a Super Bowl victory, the bad blood was still there. The team traded him again to the San Diego Chargers, and after refusing to report again, he was shipped to Washington. He did not play in the 1972 season before playing two more years for the then-Redskins. It was truly an odd season and one we will likely not see again.
Legacy
Even though many fans may not remember Duane Thomas fondly because of the contract dispute, it is hard to deny he played a role in the team’s history. The Dallas Cowboys hadn’t won a Super Bowl until then, but they are now one of the more decorated teams in NFL history. His legacy will be remembered either for his production on the field or his holdout off of it.
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