Former Dallas Cowboys and West Texas State running back Duane Thomas dies at 77
Former Dallas Cowboys running back Duane Thomas died on Sunday, team officials confirmed, at the age of 77.
Thomas was born in Dallas and attended Lincoln High School before starring at West Texas State with future Miami Dolphins star Mercury Morris.
The Cowboys selected Thomas with the No. 23 selection in the 1970 NFL Draft. In his first season, he led the team in rushing with 803 yards and five touchdowns en route to being chosen as NFL Rookie of the Year.
The following season Thomas had 793 yards and an NFL-leading 11-rushing touchdowns and helped lead the Cowboys to victory in Super Bowl VI, running for 95 yards with a touchdown in the 24-3 win over the Miami Dolphins.
Over his Cowboys career, Thomas rushed for 1,596 with 16 touchdowns.
Thomas left the Cowboys after two seasons when he was traded to the New England Patriots, but was released after refusing to take a physical. He spent the final two seasons of his NFL career with the now-Washington Commanders.
