Robert Thomas (fullback)

Robert Lee Thomas, IV (born December 1, 1974) is a former American football fullback in the National Football League. Thomas played college football at Henderson State University and would go on to play fullback for the Dallas Cowboys, as the lead blocker for Emmitt Smith.

Early years
Thomas graduated from Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, AR after playing three seasons of football for the Red Devils. Back then because of his small size, he played different positions (fullback, tight end, linebacker, defensive end, punter and quarterback).

He attended college at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR, where he became the starting middle linebacker. Thomas closed out his collegiate career as the school's all-time leading tackler with 388 tackles. Among his marks, he recorded 18 tackles in a single game and 129 tackles in a season. He was named the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of Year in 1995 and earned All-GSC honors in 1995 and 1996.

In 1996, Thomas participated in the Division II All-Star game and the Snow Bowl (now known as the Cactus Bowl). He also was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy.

In 2004 he was inducted into the Henderson State University Hall of Honor. In 2006 he was inducted into the Jacksonville High School (Jacksonville, Arkansas) Hall of Fame.

Calgary Stampeders (CFL)
In 1998, he signed as a free agent with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL, but only played in one pre-season game before being cut.

Dallas Cowboys
In 1998 he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys and was promptly allocated to NFL Europe's Rhein Fire. That season he made the Cowboys final roster and spent his time playing mostly on special teams.

He was switched from linebacker to fullback in 1999, and became a starter that same season, after Daryl Johnston suffered a career-ending neck injury.

As a starter he became a productive player, earning a new three-year contract in 2001. During that season, he would miss the final 11 games after suffering torn ligaments in his left ankle.

Thomas was released at the end of the 2002 season because of salary cap considerations. During his time with the Cowboys, he served primarily as Emmitt Smith's lead blocker for four of his five seasons, eventually paving the way as Smith ran for 109 yards on 24 carries, while becoming the NFL's all-time leading rusher versus the Seattle Seahawks (10/27/2002).

Arena Football League
From 2004 to 2008, Robert played in the Arena Football League where he broke the Georgia Force’s rushing yds record with 250 yds in a season, and tied their rushing touchdown record with 12. In 2004, his first year with the league, he was named to the All-Rookie team. From 2007 to 2008, he played for the Colorado Crush, where he tied their rushing touchdown record with 9 and was named to the All-Ironman Team.

In 2009 he was named an assistant coach for the Arkansas Twisters of the AF2.