| Jesse Thomas | |
| Number: | 40, 20 |
| Position: | Defensive back |
| Birth Date: | 23 May 1928 |
| Birth Place: | Guthrie, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Columbia, Maryland, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 5 |
| Height In: | 10 |
| Weight Lbs: | 180 |
| High School: | Flint Central (Flint, Michigan) |
| College: | Michigan State |
| Draftyear: | 1951 |
| Draftround: | 10 |
| Draftpick: | 119 |
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| Pastcoaching: |
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| Pfr: | ThomJe20 |
Jesse LeRoy Thomas (May 23, 1928 – May 16, 2012) was an American football player and coach. He played college football for Michigan State University. He also competed in track for Michigan State. After leaving Michigan State, he served two years in the United States Army and then played one year for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[1] He later played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts from 1955 to 1957 and in the American Football League for the Los Angeles Chargers in 1960.[2] [3]
After his playing career, Thomas taught at Morgan State University for over 40 years and served as head coach of the football team from 1985 to 1987. At Morgan State, he was a physical education instructor, served as athletic director, and also coached swimming, track and field, wrestling, lacrosse, tennis, and badminton.[4] [5]