Former Titans RB Rodney Thomas dies

Former running back for the Tennessee Titans, Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons, Rodney Thomas has died at 41. The cause of death is unknown pending an autopsy, per NFL.com. Thomas was a 3rd round selection in 1995 by the Houston Oilers. He played football at Texas A&M before his pro career began.

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Rodney Thomas got his most playing time in the NFL in the early years of his career. After nearly pushing a thousand yards in his rookie year, Thomas was relegated to backup status by the Oilers-turned-Titans when the franchise drafted running back Eddie George. Thomas was on the 1999 Titans team that lost to St. Louis in Super Bowl XXXIV. While he didn’t play much of an expanded role with the Titans, he offered key breather minutes for George, who was known as a workhorse running back during his prime.

The running back finished his career in 2001 with the Atlanta Falcons. Thomas finished his career with 1,973 rushing yards, 631 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns over the course of seven seasons. He retired and returned to Texas where he played in college and began his NFL career.

Thomas is survived by his wife and four-year-old child who live near Houston, in a community where he was described as ‘down to earth and humble’.