Todd Thomas (American football)

Todd Thomas (born December 2, 1959 in Mankato, Minnesota) was a gridiron football player. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Dakota.

Early years
Thomas graduated from Cedarburg High School in 1977 and was a letterman in football, baseball, and basketball. In football, he was a tackle as well as the team's long snapper.

College career
He played tackle at North Dakota and also served as the long snapper. Thomas was named to the first team All-American squad in 1980. In 1981 he graduated with a degree in chemical engineering. He was inducted into the University of North Dakota Letterwinners Association Hall of Fame in 2000.

Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Thomas in the fifth round (124th overall) in the 1981 NFL Draft. He played in 15 regular season games for the 1981 Chiefs as their long snapper. During a game against the Miami Dolphins on December 13, Thomas incurred a dislocated shoulder. He was placed on injured reserve on December 15 through the remainder of the 1981 season. On September 6, 1982 the Chiefs released him.

Philadelphia Eagles
After two seasons in the USFL, Thomas returned to the NFL in July 1984 as a center/guard with the Philadelphia Eagles and was assigned jersey number 61. On August 14, 1984, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a herniated disc

New Jersey Generals
Thomas signed with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League on October 15, 1982. He started in 11 games and played in all 18 games during their 1983 Inaugural Season and was frequently used as a blocking tight end.

Arizona Wranglers
On February 14, 1984, the New Jersey Generals traded Thomas to the Arizona Wranglers for linebacker Don Goode. Thomas played in five games for the Wranglers as a tackle/tight end, and then was released in May 1984.

Pittsburgh Maulers
The Pittsburgh Maulers claimed Thomas off waivers from the Arizona Wranglers on May 18, 1984. He was assigned jersey number 74 (his former high school and college number) and played tackle.