Skip Thomas Explained

Skip Thomas
Number:26
Position:Cornerback
Birth Date:7 February 1950
Birth Place:Higginsville, Missouri, U.S.
Death Place:Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:205
High School:Kansas City (KS) Wyandotte
College:Southern California
Draftyear:1972
Draftround:7
Draftpick:176
Pastteams:
Statlabel1:Interceptions
Statvalue1:17
Statlabel2:INT yards
Statvalue2:222
Statlabel3:Touchdowns
Statvalue3:1
Highlights:

Alonzo "Skip" Thomas (February 7, 1950 – July 24, 2011), nicknamed "Dr. Death", was an American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL).

College career

Thomas was awarded a scholarship to play football at Arizona Western Junior College. Then, Thomas played college football at the University of Southern California.

Professional career

Thomas played for the Oakland Raiders for the entire duration of his professional football career between 1972 and 1977. He had back-to-back six-interception seasons in 1974 and 1975. Although it is commonly believed that his fierce tackling got him the nickname "Doctor Death," the truth (per John Madden's book Hey, Wait a Minute (I Wrote A Book!)) is that Hall of Fame lineman Bob "Boomer" Brown, when he first met him, thought that he looked like the cartoon character "Dr. Death," and the moniker stuck.[1] Thomas died of a heart attack on July 24, 2011.[2] He was 61.

Notes and References

  1. See "Daily Madden" show featuring John Madden, Oakland Raiders' coach when Thomas played cornerback, for July 26, 2011 as follows: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.podtrac.com%2Fpts%2Fredirect.mp3%2Fnyc.podcast.play.it%2Fmedia%2Fd0%2Fd0%2Fd0%2FdY%2FdA%2FdM%2FdV%2FYAMV_3.MP3%3Fauthtok%3D5561519120994696059_otzlQq98Az8ayw4x2arQKoP3s8&podcast_name=Daily+Madden&podcast_artist=KCBS&station_id=97&tag=pages&dcid=CBS.SF
  2. News: Williamson, Bill . Former Raider Skip Thomas dies . . July 25, 2011 . 2011-07-25.