Blair Lamar Thomas (born October 7, 1967) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Jets, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.
He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, earning first-team All-American honors in 1989.
As a senior, he rushed for 1,551 yards and 24 touchdowns, while helping his team win the Public League title and receiving All-state honors.
In the 16–17 loss against the University of Alabama, Thomas was given the ball eleven times in a row in the fourth quarter and managed to score the potential tying touchdown, but the extra point was blocked.
[3] He was given the number 32, which no Jet had worn since the retirement of Emerson Boozer in 1975,[4] with the expectation of developing into a great player.
As a rookie, he was used as part of a four-man running back rotation that included Freeman McNeil, Johnny Hector and Brad Baxter.
In 1991, head coach Bruce Coslet still used him in the same four-man running back rotation, but his carries increased to 189 (career-high), finishing with 728 rushing yards (led the team) and 3 touchdowns.
His best game came against the Chicago Bears, where he had 27 carries for 125 rushing yards (career-high), but also lost a fumble, that contributed in part to the Jets squandering a 13–6 lead with 2 minutes remaining and losing 13–19 in overtime.
A surprise playoff participant, the 8-8 Jets rushed for only 71 yards in a 17-10 wild-card loss against the Houston Oilers, with Thomas missing the game with an ankle injury.
[7] On December 1, 1994, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to be the backup for Emmitt Smith over the incumbent Lincoln Coleman.
[10] On November 7, 1995, he was signed by the Carolina Panthers for depth purposes, while starter Derrick Moore was out with a knee injury.
He played a key role in the development of Chicago Bears fullback Jason McKie, and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Stacey Mack.
Thomas, former Penn State and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Kenny Jackson, and local AFLAC agent Al Mayer are partners in a chain of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-area sports bars called KoKoMos.