Professional Football Player. For five seasons (1954 to 1957, 1960), he played at the defensive-back position in the Canadian, National and American Football Leagues with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Baltimore Colts and Los Angeles Chargers. Born Jesse LeRoy Thomas, he was raised in Flint, Michigan where he attended high school and during that period his athletic excellence became well apparent, as he participated in basketball, baseball, track and football. He was the state's broad jump champion in 1945. While attending Michigan State University, he played on their football team (earning Honorable Mention All-American status in 1951) and continued at track. Selected by the New York Yanks during the 10th round of the 1951 NFL Draft, his professional career was delayed as he served with the US Army during the Korean War. Upon his return home, he joined Winnipeg of the CFL and play with Blue Bombers during the 1954 season. After impressing Colts' head coach Weeb Ewbank with his athletic skills, he was signed by Baltimore and remained as a part of Baltimore's secondary for three seasons (1955 to 1957). He joined the newly-formed American Football League and experienced playing on the Los Angeles Chargers' squad which appeared in the first AFL Title Game in 1960. Following his retirement as a player, Thomas began a more than 40-year association at Morgan State University which included serving as an assistant professor, football head coach and assistant athletic director.
Professional Football Player. For five seasons (1954 to 1957, 1960), he played at the defensive-back position in the Canadian, National and American Football Leagues with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Baltimore Colts and Los Angeles Chargers. Born Jesse LeRoy Thomas, he was raised in Flint, Michigan where he attended high school and during that period his athletic excellence became well apparent, as he participated in basketball, baseball, track and football. He was the state's broad jump champion in 1945. While attending Michigan State University, he played on their football team (earning Honorable Mention All-American status in 1951) and continued at track. Selected by the New York Yanks during the 10th round of the 1951 NFL Draft, his professional career was delayed as he served with the US Army during the Korean War. Upon his return home, he joined Winnipeg of the CFL and play with Blue Bombers during the 1954 season. After impressing Colts' head coach Weeb Ewbank with his athletic skills, he was signed by Baltimore and remained as a part of Baltimore's secondary for three seasons (1955 to 1957). He joined the newly-formed American Football League and experienced playing on the Los Angeles Chargers' squad which appeared in the first AFL Title Game in 1960. Following his retirement as a player, Thomas began a more than 40-year association at Morgan State University which included serving as an assistant professor, football head coach and assistant athletic director.
Bio by: C.S.
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