Former Oilers, Titans and Falcons running back Rodney Thomas has died at the age of 41.
Trinity County (TX) Justice of the Peace Rod Blair confirmed that Thomas died in his hometown of Groveton at about 7 p.m. Saturday and no cause of death has been announced pending an autopsy. Thomas was drafted by the Oilers in the third round of the 1995 draft after completing a standout career at Texas A&M and ran for 947 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie in Houston.
Thomas remained with the franchise through their move to Tennessee and played in Super Bowl XXXIV with the team. Thomas retired after one year with the Falcons in 2001 and compiled 1,973 rushing yards at the professional level. He had 3,014 while at Texas A&M, good for fifth on the school’s all-time list, and he ranks third in school history with 41 touchdowns.
“I was shocked and saddened by the news of the passing of Rodney Thomas,” former A&M coach R.C. Slocum said in a statement, via AggieSports.com. “He was a great football player, but more importantly, he was one of the finest young men that I have ever met. He was so kind, considerate and unselfish. He impacted all that met him in a positive way. Our prayers go out to his family and friends. Aggieland lost one of its brightest stars today.”
We add our condolences to Thomas’ family and friends.