Jim Thomas (offensive lineman)

Jim Thomas
refer to caption
Thomas in 1938
No. 41
Position:Guard
Personal information
Born:(1917-05-06)May 6, 1917
Oilton, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died:June 4, 1981 (age 64)
Florence, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Oilton (OK)
College:Oklahoma
NFL draft:1939 / round: 12 / pick: 102
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

James F. Thomas (May 6, 1917 – June 4, 1981) was an American football guard.

Thomas was born in 1917 at Oilton, Oklahoma. He attended Oilton High School.[1]

Thomas attended the University of Oklahoma and played for the Oklahoma Sooners football team from 1935 to 1938.[1] He was a member of the 1938 Oklahoma Sooners football team that compiled a 10–1 record and was ranked No. 4 in the final Associated Press poll. He was known as "Singer" Thomas at Oklahoma because of his constant singing in the shower room.[2]

He was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals with the 102nd pick in the 1939 NFL draft.[3] He appeared in 13 games for the Cardinals during the 1939 and 1940 seasons.[4]

Thomas was also an opera singer who sang with the Metropolitan Opera for a year. He served in the Army during World War II, attaining the rank of lieutenant and serving in the field artillery under General George Patton. He was a school teacher in Florence, South Carolina, starting in 1966. He died of an apparent heart attack in 1981 in Florence.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b "Jim Thomas". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  2. ^ "It's a Secret: Thomas Can Yodel, Too". The Daily Oklahoman. December 3, 1938. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "1939 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "Jim Thomas Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  5. ^ "J.F. Thomas, Former Foortball Professional". The State. June 6, 1981. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.