Duane Thomas, running back during Cowboys’ first Super Bowl win, dies at 77. What was the cause of death?

Duane Thomas, former Dallas Cowboys running back, has died at the age of 77.

Born and raised in Dallas, Thomas joined the Cowboys as a first-round pick in the 1970 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Thomas won Rookie of the Year and led the team in rushing yards. He also helped take the Cowboys to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance that season, although they ended up losing to the Colts.

Thomas’ tumultuous NFL career

Thomas was without a doubt an incredible football player, but he came with controversy. In his second season, Thomas staged a holdout during training camp as he wanted a new deal with Dallas. Although Cowboys’ current wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is doing the same thing now in 2024 and NFL holdouts have become quite common these days, back in the ‘70s, it was not so. And general manager Tex Schramm wasn’t having it.

Thomas ended up being traded to the New England Patriots that season, but it was short-lived. In an unprecedented move, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle voided part of the trade and ended up sending Thomas back to the Cowboys.

For the rest of the season with the Cowboys, Thomas refused to speak to his teammates, Cowboys staff, or the media. But he did continue to play for the Cowboys and played well at that. He ended up taking them to their first-ever Super Bowl victory.

In the 1971 season, Thomas rushed for 793 yards and an NFL-leading 11 touchdowns, plus caught 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. In the postseason, he added 205 yards and three touchdowns, including 95 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl VI, when the Cowboys defeated the Miami Dolphins 24-3.

How did Duane Thomas die?

The Cowboys reported that Duane Thomas passed away at the age of 77 on Sunday, August 4, but the cause of death has not yet been released.