Skip Thomas

Did You Know?

• Thomas was given the nickname "Skip" by his grandfather, Alonzo Thomas Sr., to avoid confusion.
• He attended Wyandotte High School, where he was a star football and basketball player and won a state championship in basketball.

College career

Thomas began his college football career at Arizona Western Junior College, where he played alongside future Raiders draft pick Phil Price and earned All American Junior College honors. He then transferred to the University of Southern California, originally intending to go to Kansas State University but not pursuing it due to miscommunications with coach Vince Gibson. At USC, Thomas played defensive back and punt returner while also competing in basketball and decathlons. An ankle injury during his junior year sidelined his basketball focus, and in his senior year he concentrated on football, recording 58 tackles, 10 pass deflections, and 5 interceptions.

Professional career

The Oakland Raiders selected Thomas in the seventh round of the 1972 NFL draft with the 176th overall pick. Before the draft, Raiders safety George Atkinson worked out with Thomas, and head coach John Madden chose to draft him based on his determination, size, and ability. During the preseason, Thomas was called the Raiders' best all-around athlete, standing 6 foot 2 inches and weighing 206 pounds, and he replaced future Hall of Famer Willie Brown in a game against the Dallas Cowboys.

In his rookie season, Thomas played mostly on special teams and served as a backup to Atkinson and cornerback Nemiah Wilson. In a week 7 win against the Los Angeles Rams, he forced a fumble on the opening kickoff. During his sophomore 1973 season, Thomas subbed for Wilson during preseason while Wilson handled contract negotiations. Madden planned to use Thomas as a versatile "pirate" defensive position, and the Raiders experimented with him at running back in the off-season.

Thomas recorded two interceptions in 1973: one off a pass deflected by Willie Brown against the Baltimore Colts, and a game-winning interception in the season finale against the Denver Broncos.

Legacy

Thomas earned the nickname "Doctor Death" during his professional career, though its origin is disputed. John Madden claimed Hall of Fame lineman Bob "Boomer" Brown first used it due to Thomas's appearance, while sportswriter Peter Richmond considered the story apocryphal; Thomas himself said it came from his spontaneous nature. As a cornerback, he was described by Phil Villapiano as "the size of a linebacker" and was known for out-muscling opponents and throwing them to the ground.

He was said to "hit anything that moves" and was unpopular among other NFL players, though Lynn Swann called him the only Raiders defensive back who would not take cheap shots. Thomas's contributions to the Soul Patrol were understated, and he is less remembered than his teammates. He drove a white Chevrolet Corvette with his name and "Doctor Death" inscribed on it, which he totaled during the 1977 season, causing a bump on his head that prevented him from wearing his helmet for a week.

Personal life

After his NFL career, Thomas worked as a detention officer in Wyandotte County and also as an exterminator. He pawned his Super Bowl ring to try to save his house from being sold, but the attempt failed, and he also sold a trophy from the city of Oakland. Thomas rode motorcycles throughout his career; John Matuszak called him a "Black Evel Knievel," and John Madden barred him from riding during practices due to disruptions. He and George Atkinson recalled Thomas riding to hospitals after practice to check his health for Sunday games and to play strip poker with nurses.

After retiring, he repaired his 1936 Ford and his father's cars. Thomas was married to Harriet Sims and had a son, Brandon, along with five other children; one child was born on the same day as his Super Bowl win. He died of a heart attack in Kansas on July 24, 2011, aged 61, and was in poor health needing personal assistance. Tributes came from rival Terry Bradshaw and Soul Patrol teammate Willie Brown.