Thomas played both linebacker and running back as a sophomore at Tulare Western and was selected all-conference at the former.[2] He then moved to fullback as a junior and was honorable mention all-conference.[2][4] He returned to playing running back as a senior and was one of the top players at his position in the area, setting the all-time Tulare prep record with 1,479 rushing yards.[2][5] He was first-team All-East Yosemite League (EYL) for his performance and played in the Tulare–Kings All-Star Game.[6][7]
College career
Thomas was recruited by several major college football teams but choose to stay close to home and play for the Fresno State Bulldogs.[8] He lettered as a true freshman in 1982.[9] That season, he played 11 games and was one of the team's top backs. He ran for 264 yards and averaged 4.6 yards-per-carry with three rushing touchdowns despite being limited due to injury.[8][10][11] He was again limited by injury in 1983, but still managed to be the Bulldogs' third-leading runner with 233 yards off 51 carries (a 4.6 average) and a touchdown as they went 6–5.[8][12]
Thomas was set to be Fresno State's leading rusher in 1984, compiling 190 rushing yards and two touchdowns in four games before suffering a season-ending injury.[8][11] When he returned for his senior season in 1985, he had to play behind James Williams and Kelly Skipper; he ended the year with 356 rushing yards on 55 carries with a touchdown, averaging 6.5 yards-per-carry.[8][11][13] He ended his collegiate career with 210 carries for 1,043 yards (a 5.0 average) with seven rushing touchdowns, additionally tallying 27 receptions for 272 yards and another score.[11]
Professional career
After going unselected in the 1986 NFL draft, Thomas was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.[14] He was released on August 18.[15] After spending the rest of the 1986 season out of football, he signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers on April 28, 1987.[16] He was released by the Packers on September 7, 1987.[17] He was brought back to the team later that month as a replacement player when the National Football League Players Association went on strike.[18] He made his NFL debut against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4, recording five rushes for 19 yards and two receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown.[19] He appeared in no other strike games and was placed on injured reserve in mid-October.[19][20] On August 22, 1988, he was placed on injured reserve again with a knee injury.[21] Thomas was activated from injured reserve on December 16 and played in the team's Week 16 game against the Phoenix Cardinals, recording no statistics.[19][22] He was released on July 19, 1989, ending his professional career.[14][23]
Later life
Thomas later served as the CEO and president of the Sports Education Marketing program, a business designed to improve recruiting.[24] He became in 2012 one of many players to sue the NFL for concussion-related injuries.[25]