Former Cowboys RB Duane Thomas has passed away at 77

[IroNat]

He was a tremendous running back with a running style similar to O.J. Simpson.

https://sports.yahoo.com/former-cowboys-rb-duane-thomas-230050776.html

Thomas was a first-round draft pick in 1970, selected 23rd overall out of West Texas State. After leading the Cowboys in rushing as a rookie and helping guide the club to its first-ever Super Bowl, Thomas asked to have his contract renegotiated during the offseason in what became an ugly public spat between player and organization that included personal attacks made against both Tex Schramm and Tom Landry and even allegations by Thomas of racism.

[IroNat]

bump for Duane

[Royalty]

A huge number of football players from that era have dramatic brain damage

[Cook]

I remember Duane well.Dallas had drafted Calvin Hill the previous year and he was the reigning rookie of the year and I couldn’t wait for them to work both guys into the same backfield.In those days you would use two backs that would both run the ball on the field at the same time.Sadly because of injuries to Calvin and Duane’s contract problems they would never play together consistently.

[IroNat]

Duane Thomas and the Cowboys ran roughshod 24-3 over the young Dolphins in the Super Bowl.

The next year the Dolphins had their dominating undefeated season.

I was fortunate to watch these teams in those years.

Duane Thomas really was a hardcase and wrecked his career.

Salaries were quite low in those days.

[IroNat]

Duane Thomas' Bizarre Cowboys Training Camp Episode

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/cowboys-country/dallas-cowboys-duane-thomas-bizarre-training-camp-episode-vow-of-silence-trade

[Humble Narcissist]

Was West Texas State the modern day UTEP? RIP to Duane Thomas.

[Cook]

Was West Texas State the modern day UTEP? RIP to Duane Thomas.

I believe they are now part of the Texas A&M system

[IroNat]

Was West Texas State the modern day UTEP? RIP to Duane Thomas.

Now it's called West Texas A&M.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Texas_A%26M_Buffaloes

If I'm reading it right, when Thomas went there the school was an "Independent" for football and they played D-I teams.
Now it is D-II.

Notable alumni

    Joe Fortenberry — winner of the first tournament of Basketball at the 1936 Summer Olympics
    Maurice Cheeks - Hall of Fame NBA basketball player and coach
    Mercury Morris - former NFL running back for the Miami Dolphins
    David Tameilau — plays rugby for the United States national rugby union team
    Duane Thomas - former NFL running back for the Dallas Cowboys

In addition to the above, the football program produced several alumni who went on to notable careers in professional wrestling:

    Tully Blanchard – member of the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Four Horsemen stable
    Bobby Duncum Sr.
    Manny Fernandez
    Dory Funk Jr. – member of the WWE Hall of Fame
    Terry Funk – brother of Dory Jr. and also a member of the WWE Hall of Fame; also a pioneer of the hardcore style
    Frank Goodish, better known as Bruiser Brody – one of the industry's most famous brawlers
    Stan Hansen – member of the WWE Hall of Fame
    Virgil Runnels, better known as Dusty Rhodes – member of the WWE Hall of Fame (also played baseball for the then-West Texas State)
    Merced Solis, better known as Tito Santana – member of the WWE Hall of Fam

[Humble Narcissist]

That's right. UTEP was formerly Texas Western College.

[oldtimer1]

A huge number of football players from that era have dramatic brain damage

True, I'm friends with a lineman that played 7 years in the NFL.I won't reveal his identity but he spent his whole career as a  Detroit Lion. In addition four yeas division 1, four years high school and a couple of years of pop warner football. He told me he wished he never played the game at all.  His knees and shoulders are shot. He asked me, "How many push ups do you think I can do now."  He answered, "None, it's too painful."  He played in the 80's.  He also believes his mental problems stem from the constant hits he took in football. He's a mountain of a man still but walks like an old man.  The NFL gives him 30K a year for his trouble. Saw a picture of him on the beach when he was an NFL player. For a lineman he was pretty lean and jacked.

[Humble Narcissist]

True, I'm friends with a lineman that played 7 years in the NFL.I won't reveal his identity but he spent his whole career as a  Detroit Lion. In addition four yeas division 1, four years high school and a couple of years of pop warner football. He told me he wished he never played the game at all.  His knees and shoulders are shot. He asked me, "How many push ups do you think I can do now."  He answered, "None, it's too painful."  He played in the 80's.  He also believes his mental problems stem from the constant hits he took in football. He's a mountain of a man still but walks like an old man.  The NFL gives him 30K a year for his trouble. Saw a picture of him on the beach when he was an NFL player. For a lineman he was pretty lean and jacked.

This is the sad part of sports. I know people from high school who are suffering from arthritis in joints that were damaged way back then.