Duane Thomas scored the first touchdown ever made in the new Texas Stadium on October 24, 1971. The Dallas Cowboys had played at the Cotton Bowl prior to the opening of the new stadium. This was the first game in the new Irving, Texas stadium and excitement filled the air as Duane ran for the touchdown just two minutes into the game. A crowd of 65,708 roared with approval when Duane took a handoff from Dallas quarterback, Roger Staubach, and ran 56 yards for that historic first touchdown. People were standing, cheering, and throwing caps into the air. After all, Duane wasn't just a Dallas Cowboy, he was from Dallas. People knew him, liked him, and he belonged to the city.

Duane Thomas was born June 21, 1947 in Dallas, Texas. He grew up near the Cotton Bowl where he would later play professional football for the Dallas Cowboys. Duane's father was a construction worker and his mother was a homemaker. One of Duane's biggest regrets is that his parents were never able to see him play professional football. They passed away several years before he signed with the Dallas Cowboys.

Duane graduated from high school in Dallas where he excelled in sports. He received a college football scholarship to West Texas State University and did very well in college. He credits his college football coach as having a positive influence in his life as well as in his professional career. From 1966 to 1970, that West Texas State team featured 12 future NFL players such as Mercury Morris (Miami Dolphins). Duane was drafted #1 in 1970 by his hometown Dallas Cowboys.

Duane's College Football Picture

Wendell Reeves was a high school student at Amarillo Palo Duro High School in 1968. He says, "I grew up in Amarillo; Canyon was just down the road from us. I used to see a lot of West Texas State Buffalo football. I remember Duane was in the same backfield as Eugene "Mercury" Morris in 1968 and I saw just about all their homes games that year. With those two in the backfield together, WT had an impressive football team for an independent school." West Texas State is no longer an independent school. It is now West Texas A&M University and Duane says that makes him "an Aggie by proxy."

After college he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys and was happy to be doing a job he loved in the city he knew as home. Besides being Rookie of the Year, Duane holds numerous awards, NFL records, and team records.

Texas Stadium at Irving, Texas.
With the hole in the roof, it can be very uncomfortable for both players and fans.
Local legend says the hole was left so God could watch His team.

Duane played in two Super Bowls for Dallas, Super Bowls V and VI. The 1970-71 Cowboys featured great players such as Roger Staubach, Calvin Hill and the world’s fastest man, Bob Hayes. When Duane became the focus of the Cowboys’ running attack, after Hill sustained an injury, his ability combined with an iron will propelled the Cowboys into yet another Super Bowl. In the 1971 Super Bowl against Baltimore, the Cowboys played valiantly, but were overcome. However, the foundation was in place for the following season.

Mike Ditka remembers Super Bowl V, "We had a talented team that year and lost a game to Baltimore that we really shouldn't have lost, on a very controversial play. An official called a fumble on Thomas, but it wasn't a fumble. If I'm going to remember one play in a Super Bowl, that's the play I'm going to remember because it was a terrible call....I was on the ground, right beside the guy who picked up the ball. The guy who picked up the ball was our center, Dave Manders. The guy who fumbled it evidently was Thomas, but actually Duane really let the ball go when he heard the whistle blow. We felt there was no fumble on the play, and if we had scored then, it wouldn't have mattered what would happened later because the game would have been over."

Mike Ditka said, "Super Bowl VI was won on the cutback running of Duane Thomas."

Photograph By Walter Iooss, Jr.

Duane Carrying The Ball In Super Bowl VI

During the 1971-72 season Duane chose to focus completely on football, becoming a vegetarian. To some members of the Cowboys’ organization and media, it seemed like Duane was a silent wonder, hence the nickname “The Sphinx”. He never let the distractions of professional sports affect him, taking on the Cowboys organization for the unjust pay structure of that time. Despite the situation, he propelled the Cowboys to a second straight Super Bowl, this time against the Miami Dolphins and his college teammate, Mercury Morris. Duane’s 95 yards and rushing touchdown steamrolled a 24-3 Dallas victory-their first ever Super Bowl win. Duane’s high level of play continued over the next six years with the Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins and the World Football League’s Hawaiian Huddlers.

Prior to Duane's career, the players made a modest salary. He insisted upon being paid according to his performance. He was the first player to make demands upon the management. Due to his actions, players today receive handsome salaries, and other benefits.

Duane founded The Duane Thomas Foundation in 1990 (501C3) to assist foundations in raising money and to help the youth of America. Mr. Thomas is an active member of Athletes International and makes himself available for autograph signings (group and individual), speaking engagements, camps - for youth and pro-bound athletes, golf tournaments, sporting event appearances and endorsements.

Duane has acted in five feature films, including the “The Greatest”, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hype”, “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 2”, and “Tough Enough”. He also authored a book, “Duane Thomas and the Fall of America’s Team”. This book is currently out of print is highly sought by collectors.

Duane is a vegetarian. Many thought he would not have the stamina to play football. He is a gourmet vegetarian cook is currently working on another book, The Vegetarian Athlete.

People who know Duane will comment on his wit. Once a reporter asked him if he had an IQ. Duane responded with, "I have a perfect one, 20-20." Another famous quote is when he was very effectively tackled and he got up saying, "What is wrong with them? Don't they know this is just a game?"

Roger Staubach says that Duane has a photographic memory. During team meetings he never took notes and appeared to be very deep in thought. When Duane was questioned about the plays, he could recite the plays, step by step, exactly as they were given. Staubach says he has never known anyone, other than Duane Thomas, who could do that. Duane never forgets people, details, and events. Once he has met anyone, he never forgets them.

Today, Duane lives in southern California. He is Founder/President of the Duane Thomas Foundation, which offers programs in life management skills. He has visited our troops in the U.S. and on foreign soil and gives his support to our military men and women. Nearly one third of all visitors to this web page are active duty military personnel stationed outside the United States.

Duane is currently a celebrity promotions and sales representative for Buick in Escondido, California.

Duane's motto is

"Nothing is impossible with knowledge as power"

Letters From Special People

As We Pray For World Peace, We Also Pray For Our Loved Ones Serving In The Armed Forces. We Pray For A World Free Of Terrorism.

Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me
Let There Be Peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be

With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,
Let this be the moment now.

With ev'ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
and let it begin with me

College Photo Courtesy of Duane Thomas

LINKS

Dallas Cowboys Homepage
West Texas A&M University
Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo By Morning
Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Canyon, Texas
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum (The Largest History Museum in Texas is located on the campus of West Texas A&M University)
Amarillo Symphony

Native American Poem, "Katherine (1838)"
Native American Poem, "I Am Morning"
"Johnny Hutcherson"

Wrtiers Guild Graphic Designed by Carolina By Design graphic artist, Melea Williams.