Orlando Thomas

Orlando Thomas (born October 21, 1972) is a former defensive back who played in the NFL from 1995 until 2001. He played his entire career with the Minnesota Vikings.

Thomas stood 6-1 and weighed 225 pounds during his playing career. He was a second-round draft pick out of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in 1995. He started 87 of 98 games for the Vikings, intercepting 22 passes, including 9 during his rookie season, before retiring following the 2001 season.

On June 29, 1997, he was arrested in his hometown of Crowley, Louisiana and charged with inciting a riot and two counts of disturbing the peace. The charges were reduced to one count of disturbing the peace, and Thomas plead no contest. He was ordered to pay a $100 fine, pay court costs, and perform 50 hours of community service.

Thomas married his wife Demetra on February 27, 1998, only two months after their first date and five months after first meeting at Cheese Car Wash in north Minneapolis. They have two children, Alexis and Orlando Jr. Demetra has a child from a previous relationship.

In 1999, Thomas was charged after allegedly assaulting his wife Demetra. He later pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge of simple battery.

Thomas revealed in June 2007 that he is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

On October 28, 2009, it was reported on the Minnesota Vikings' website that Thomas had died. This was incorrect. The organization has withdrawn the report and apologized to Thomas and his family.