John Russell Thomas (July 24, 1924 – March 19, 1991) was an American football tackle who played four seasons with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL).

Thomas was an assistant coach on the Detroit Lions' 1952 and 1953 NFL Championship teams.

After a stint as a broadcaster, Thomas became the team's director of player personnel.

He was unpopular with Lions fans for his tough stance at the negotiating table and the scapegoat for the team's mediocrity during his tenure.

The Detroit Lions players wore a silver football shaped patch on the left chest of their jerseys with the initials 'JRT' in his memory during the 1991 season.