Broderick Lee Thomas (born February 20, 1967) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Dallas Cowboys.
He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, earning unanimous All-American honors in 1988.
As a senior, he received All-American, All-state and Area defensive player-of-the-year (by the Houston Post) honors.
As a senior, he registered 98 tackles, 10 sacks, 35 quarterback pressures, 6 passes defensed, while helping his team win the Big Eight championship and earn an Orange Bowl invitation for the first time in five years.
[2][3] Thomas was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round (sixth overall) of the 1989 NFL draft.
He earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after collecting 11 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 passes defended and 2 fumble recoveries against the Detroit Lions.
In 1992, Thomas reported out of shape for training camp and struggled with his pass coverage responsibilities as an outside linebacker in the team's new 3-4 defense.
[13] The next year, he was placed on the injured reserve list after tearing ligaments in his left knee during a Sunday training-camp practice.