Hollis Thomas

Last updated

Hollis Thomas
Hollis Thomas.jpg
Thomas in 2013
No. 78, 99, 93, 75
Position Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born (1974-01-10) January 10, 1974 (age 51)
Abilene, Texas, U.S.
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight340 lb (154 kg)
Career information
High school Sumner (St. Louis, Missouri)
College Northern Illinois
NFL draft 1996: undrafted
Career history
Playing
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Coaching
Awards and highlights
  • Football News All-Rookie Team (1996)
  • First-team All-Big West (1995)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles 518
Sacks 20.0
Forced fumbles 7
Fumble recoveries8
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Hollis Thomas Jr. (born January 10, 1974) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Northern Illinois Huskies and was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 1996.

Contents

Thomas also played for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers. Over 14 NFL seasons, Thomas appeared in 174 regular-season games (126 starts), recording 505 total tackles, 20.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and a safety. [1] Known for his strength, personality, and leadership in the locker room, Thomas was a fan favorite in Philadelphia and New Orleans alike.

After his playing career, Thomas transitioned to sports media, co-hosting local radio shows on SportsRadio 94 WIP in Philadelphia and launching his own podcast, *The Green Legion Radio Show*, where he regularly discusses Eagles football and NFL topics. [2]

Professional career

Philadelphia Eagles (1996–2005)

After going undrafted in the 1996 NFL Draft, Thomas signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent on April 27, 1996. [3] Despite long odds of making the roster, Thomas impressed coaches during training camp and earned a spot in the defensive line rotation as a rookie. He appeared in 12 games during the 1996 season, recording 24 tackles and a sack. [4]

By his third season, Thomas had become a fixture on the interior of the Eagles’ defensive line under defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. Known for his size (listed at 6 ft 0 in, 335 lb) and surprising quickness, Thomas earned a reputation as a strong run-stopper and locker-room leader. Between 1998 and 2001, he started 55 games and anchored a defense that helped the Eagles reach four consecutive NFC Championship Game appearances (2001–2004). [5]

In 2000, Thomas recorded 47 total tackles and two sacks, helping the Eagles finish second in the NFC East. During the 2001 season, he appeared in all 16 games and posted a career-high 58 tackles along with three sacks. [6] He remained a key part of the defensive line rotation throughout the early 2000s alongside Corey Simon, Darwin Walker, and Jerome McDougle.

Thomas missed part of the 2004 season with a torn triceps but returned for the Eagles’ playoff run to Super Bowl XXXIX, where they were defeated 24–21 by the New England Patriots. [7]

In March 2006, the Eagles released Thomas after ten seasons with the team. [8] At the time of his release, he had played 127 regular-season games for Philadelphia, recording 390 tackles and 20 sacks.

New Orleans Saints (2006–2008)

Shortly after his release, Thomas was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints and quickly became a starter at defensive tackle under head coach Sean Payton. He was credited with stabilizing the Saints’ run defense and played an important role in the team’s turnaround from a 3–13 record in 2005 to a 10–6 record and an appearance in the 2006 NFC Championship Game. [9] He finished the 2006 regular season with 57 tackles and 3.5 sacks, ranking among team leaders in tackles for loss. [10]

On December 5, 2006, the NFL suspended Thomas for four games after testing positive for anabolic steroids. Thomas and the Saints medical staff attributed the positive test to an asthma medication containing a banned steroid component. Despite appeals from the team and public support from the NFL Players Association, the suspension was upheld. [11] [12]

Thomas returned to start 14 games in 2007, again ranking among the team’s top interior defenders. During a preseason practice in 2008, he suffered a torn right triceps and was released with an injury settlement on September 11 before being re-signed later that year once he recovered. [13] He was released again following the 2008 season. [14]

St. Louis Rams (2009)

On July 29, 2009, Thomas signed a one-year deal with the St. Louis Rams. [15] He appeared in two games for St. Louis before being released. [16]

Carolina Panthers (2009)

On October 1, 2009, Thomas signed with the Carolina Panthers following the release of rookie defensive tackle Ra'Shon Harris. [17] He played in eight games for Carolina, starting four, and recorded 17 total tackles and a safety. In Week 7 against the Buffalo Bills, Thomas tackled running back Fred Jackson in the end zone for a safety during a 20–9 loss. [18]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCombSoloAstSckIntYdsTDLngFFFRYdsTD
1996 PHI 1654232101.000000000
1997 PHI 16166139222.500002100
1998 PHI 1212423485.000000100
1999 PHI 16164938111.000001120
2000 PHI 16166046144.000003100
2001 PHI 1414524390.000001100
2003 PHI 72221660.000000000
2004 PHI 132211740.000000100
2005 PHI 1612352780.000000000
2006 NOR 1212433583.500000100
2007 NOR 16145038123.000000000
2008 NOR 826510.000000000
2009 STL 302200.000000000
CAR 1313332490.000000100
17813651839612220.000007820

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCombSoloAstSckIntYdsTDLngFFFRYdsTD
1996 PHI 105500.000000000
2000 PHI 227701.000000100
2004 PHI 305321.000000000
2006 NOR 226240.000000000
84231762.000000100

References

  1. ↑ "Hollis Thomas career statistics". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Former Eagle Hollis Thomas now dominating the airwaves". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Eagles sign undrafted rookie Hollis Thomas". Associated Press. April 27, 1996.{{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  4. ↑ "Hollis Thomas 1996 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Eagles' Hollis Thomas: "We knew what teams were going to do"". PhillyVoice. January 20, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Hollis Thomas career stats". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Thomas returns to bolster Eagles line". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 16, 2005.{{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  8. ↑ "Eagles cut veteran defensive tackle Hollis Thomas". Associated Press. March 22, 2006.{{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  9. ↑ "Saints find hidden gem in veteran DT Hollis Thomas". The Times-Picayune. January 18, 2007. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Hollis Thomas 2006 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Saints DT Hollis Thomas suspended four games". ESPN. December 5, 2006. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Saints doctor says steroid result linked to asthma medication". The Times-Picayune. December 6, 2006. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Saints DT Hollis Thomas tears triceps". The Times-Picayune. August 15, 2008.{{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  14. ↑ Triplett, Mike (April 29, 2009). "New Orleans Saints release defensive tackle Hollis Thomas". The Times-Picayune . Archived from the original on May 2, 2009. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Rams sign veteran DT Hollis Thomas". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. July 29, 2009.{{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  16. ↑ "Hollis Thomas 2009 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Panthers sign Hollis Thomas". ESPN. October 1, 2009. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers – October 25th, 2009". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.