Pierre Thomas
Pierre Thomas – New Orleans Saints, Running Back
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 210 lbs.
College: Illinois
Hometown: Chicago, IL
- During rookie season, became only the 2nd rookie in NFL history to gain over 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game
- All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2004
- Super Bowl XLIV Champion
- First player in New Orleans Saints history to gain more than 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the same game
The Beginning
Pierre Thomas Jr. was born in Lynwood, IL to Charles and Greta Jo Thomas. He attended Thorton Fractional South High School, where he set school career rushing records with 88 touchdowns and 5,522 yards, numbers that were ranked top 10 in Illinois state history. He attended The University of Illinois where he started as a true freshman and continued to break records, breaking the school record for career kickoff return yardage with 1,495 yards. He ranked sixth in University of Illinois history in career rushing yards with 2,545 yards and earned honorable mention All Big Ten Conference while leading the conference and ranking second at Illinois in all-purpose yardage with 4,451. He also posted 9 career 100-yard rushing games at Illinois and was voted team MVP two years and Captain his senior year.
The NFL
Thomas went undrafted in the 2007 NFL draft. Shortly after the draft, Thomas signed a contract as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints. He was predicted to be a camp body for the Saints but ended up having a stellar preseason and beat out Antonio Pittman, a player the Saints had traded up to take in the fourth round of the draft, to make the Saints’ final roster.
On December 30, 2007, in the Saints’ season finale, injuries took regular starters Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush, and Aaron Stecker out of the game. Resulting from this, Thomas received his first NFL start in his hometown at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears and became the first Saints player to gain over 100 yards both rushing and receiving in the same game. He also became the only player in NFL history to gain over 100 yards both rushing and receiving against the Chicago Bears. In 2008, Thomas played in 15 contests, starting five. Thomas was also selected to USA Today’s All-Joe team which recognizes hard-working players that don’t receive as much media attention.
Despite competing with Reggie Bush and Mike Bell for touches, Thomas finished the 2009 regular season with career-highs in carries and rushing yards with 147 and 793 yards while scoring six touchdowns. He also set new career-highs in receptions and receiving yards with 39 for 302 yards to go along with two touchdowns. The playoffs were also kind to Thomas as he rushed for 52 yards on 13 carries and 4 catches for 18 yards in the divisional playoffs against the Arizona Cardinals. He then followed that up with 61 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown and 2 catches for 38 yards and another score against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship. Prior to Super Bowl XLIV, Thomas was credited as being the key to the Saints’ running game. In the title game, Thomas led the team with 30 yards on 9 carries and gained 55 yards on 6 catches and touchdown. He was praised for his tough running during the game which included the Saints first touchdown of the game. In an act of generosity, Thomas gave his touchdown football to Saints running back legend Deuce McAllister who had been signed by the team several weeks earlier.
Off the Field
Thomas is also very involved in charity work in his hometown of Lansing, IL and New Orleans. He has been active in helping New Orleans rebuild after Hurricane Katrina and plans to help any way he can with the recent oil spill in the gulf. He is also very active in the Dream For Kids organization and has attended the Dream for Kids benefit dinner which helps under privileged children realize and help achieve their dreams. For more information about Pierre Thomas, please visit www.pierrethomas.com.
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