Mike 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.

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. Washington would lose eight of the last 10 games to finish the season 8–8 (.500) and miss the playoffs.

Thomas was traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1979. After playing two seasons, he was waived by the Chargers in 1981.

Personal

His older brothers Jimmy and Earl Thomas also played in the NFL.