Didnt he go pro? Bears i thought. Anyway, wonder what happend to him.

he was in the super bowl shuffle video

Thomas, Ernest Jackson and Johnny Hector all played about the same time and each had a decent career in the NFL. I think EJ lead the AFC in rushing one year.

We had some pretty good RB talent in the very early '80s. When the ball got handed to EJ on third & medium, he'd bust a gut for those yards. I can see why the Steelers liked him!

JH had some magnificent speed & moves in the open field, but didn't seem to like traffic between the tackles, although he had a few seasons with the Jets.

I remember TS as a versatile runner and swing pass guy, and he fit well wid da Bears.

I remember Thomas Sanders well. He did play for the Bears. Earnest "Popeye" Jackson was one of the first Texas born RBs to rush for 1,000 yards in a seaaon in the NFL. After that there was an onslaught of them.

Didn't Earnest Jackson lead the either the NFL or the AFC in rushing when he was with the Chargers, maybe? I may be remembering that wrong. And didn't both Jackson and Thomas spend time with the Eagles. There have been a few Aggies runners in Philly. I don't remember Jackson playing for the Steelers, though.

[This message has been edited by falls91 (edited 1/16/2009 7:49p).]

Sanders made a badass play in the 1980 upset of ut in Memorial Stadium. Beal threw the ball low and Sanders reached down, snagged it with one hand and took it to the house. Ags win, 24-14.

RC II- I am trying to understand what you just said. Earnest Jackson is nowhere near the first Texas born running back to rush for 1000 yds in the NFL. Now if you are talking about Texas born backs from A&M you were closer but still wrong. Jackson rushed for 1000 yds in 1984. Curtis Dickey beat him by one year in 1983.

TS is one of my favorite all-time Ags. Same age as myself. Met him during a High School district track meet our senior year. Very genuine person, even back then. Was injured early in his A&M career, but recovered enuf to be drafted late by the Bears. He stuck around for 3-4 years in the NFL. I have several of his football cards.

If memory serves, he actually broke a bone in his neck early in his career. Came back to have a really good senior year. Unfortunately for him, graduated before Sherrill turned things around.

If memory serves...Sanders' bonfire speech included the line "i'm gonna eat me some Bevo meat!"

If that was 1984, Sanders had a big game 2 days later. I recall his numbers pealing off his jersey.

[This message has been edited by falls91 (edited 1/16/2009 11:06p).]

Thomas married A&M classmate Lolita Samuels (sprinter on women's track team) and their family has lived in Chicago since he retired from the Bears.

Quality runner for the Ags in the day of runningback by committee .

No. 45

Excellent hands (like Woodside)

Had a nice, albiet short career for Da Bers.

Correction: Thomas' wife is the former NOVAITA (pronounced No-veeta) Samuels, not Lolita. My apologies.

Papi Chulo:

I was getting ready to say that myself, then saw your repsonse.

"Get your licks in while you can..."

No, he just committed to the good guys

I think we had about 7 RB's playing in the NFL at the same time.

I meant to look them all up and put a spreadsheet together, but haven't taken the time to do it.

sanders
toney
Vick
woodside

I believe they were all in the NFL at the same time. probably some others.

quote:

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sanders
toney
Vick
woodside

I believe they were all in the NFL at the same time. probably some others.

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And Johnny Hector and possibly Earnest Jackson.

Roger Vick - Haven't heard his name in ages! We rode the Vacation Bible School bus to Tomball when we were kids...

Sanders was a hell of a running back and came in just behind Sweetness IRRC. Was a Goodag.

I was in The Corps and TS was one of our coaches for Elephant Bowl. I moved to Chicago and contacted him through the Bears. Through him, and other friends, I went to every Bears game in 1985 (the year they went to the Superbowl). He got me and my dad down into the Bears Den (where the players park) after they won the NFC Championship game. Hanging out with the team while they were celebrating going to the Superbowl was priceless. He actually made me pay for those tickets (I can't believe that they were only $25 each)and I still have the endorsed check as a souvenir.

I saw him at a Yell Practice last year (Jackie had brought a number of players from that era) and he told me that he was living in Houston but missed Chicago because it was too hot in TX.

don't forget we also had Rod Bernstine, who started at RB, converted to TE here at A&M, was drafted high as a TE and ended up convertinng back to RB in the NFL. That was a bunch of really good backs on the roster at the same time.

I read Sanders, and got hungry.

I own Sanders' "away" jersey.

Thomas actually broke his neck as a Sophomore but was able to return for his Senior year

Catfish '85