Where are they now: Blair Thomas

[GREENBEAN]

I had such high hopes for Blair when I was a high school kid. Even though he was going to push my all time favorite Jet Freeman Mcneil out to pasture I still dreamed of him leading the league in rushing and carrying the Jets to the Super Bowl.  Oh well.  Seems like he is out there adding positivity into the world. Good for Blair. 

Where Are They Now: Blair Thomas

Jim Gehman

NYJETS.COM CONTRIBUTOR

 

 

 

Throughout their nearly six-decade history, the Jets have chosen a running back with their top draft pick six times. None, however, was selected higher than when Blair Thomas was taken second overall in 1990.

Thomas, who rushed for 3,301 yards and 21 touchdowns while at Penn State, was Heisman Trophy finalist as a senior.

“I was happy to have the opportunity to play at the next level. That’s something that you grow up dreaming about. You want to have that opportunity,” Thomas said. “I kind of knew the night before. I got a call (from general manager Dick Steinberg) saying I was going to be picked by the Jets unless something crazy happens. So, when it did pan out that way, I was excited.”

Even though he shared the backfield during his rookie season with second-year fullback Brad Baxter, and veteran halfbacks Freeman McNeil and Johnny Hector, Thomas was able to lead the Jets in rushing with 620 yards.

“It was something that I just had to work through,” Thomas said. “It was tough because I was used to getting 20, 25 carries a game (at Penn State, and) to get that limited to 10 or 11 carries a game was kind of frustrating.”

Leading the team in rushing again the following season, Thomas helped New York make the playoffs for the first time in five years.

“There was a lot of excitement because it was a while before we got there. I think I finished that year a little banged up, but it was true excitement, joy. Guys were excited making that run.”

Thomas was “banged up” again in 1992, and only able to play in nine games, starting in seven. While there is little, if anything, one can do about injuries, how did he keep a positive mindset? 

“I had confidence in myself. That’s the main thing,” Thomas said. “I never had that many little strings of nagging injuries. A medial collateral (knee injury), lower back problems, having to take pain killers before the game even started.

“Just a lot of things. My body wasn’t flowing the way it did previous years, before I got there. It was a difference for me.”

A difference that took its toll. Thomas spent just four seasons with the Jets, 1990-93. Playing in 51 games, he totaled 2,009 rushing yards, a 4.3 yard-per-carry average, and five touchdowns. What are his fondest memories from those years?

“Just being around the guys,” Thomas said. “I developed some good relationships while I was in New York. The camaraderie with the guys is always the thing that you miss the most as you get away from the game.”

Thomas, who also played parts of two more seasons with Dallas, New England and Carolina, hasn’t gotten too far away from the game. After coaching at Temple and at various instructional camps across the country – including his own, with the next camp scheduled for July 13 in Philadelphia for inner-city kids who are involved with the Blackhawks Pee Wee youth football organization.

This fall will be Thomas’ third year coaching at Upper Merion (PA) Middle School.

“We played a sport that in some instances people say it’s dying because of lacrosse. But since I’ve started coaching at the middle school, our enrollment has been up. So, I’m happy about that,” Thomas said. “And instead of moving up to the high school, I want to still reach some of the younger kids because I think there’s a lot to be taught to those guys before they even get to the high school level.

“You’re only going to become as good as your coaches who coach you, who’s giving you the knowledge, who’s teaching you what you need to know. A lot of people are getting away from the fundamentals of the game. That’s where the game starts. That’s the exciting thing about having the opportunity to give back to the younger players.    

“I try to give back to a sport that’s been very generous and gracious to me, and pass on the knowledge that I have to the younger players. I enjoy that aspect of my life.”

Making his home in suburban Philadelphia with his wife, Lisa, Thomas has three children: Blair Jr., Lakeisha, and Preston. And a granddaughter, Ava.

Besides coaching, Thomas also does speaking engagements through the Penn State Alumni Association. And he has a topical aches and pain product – eMMortal Magnesium Therapy 360.

“Magnesium is a natural anti-inflammatory, so you get the swelling out, the inflammation. You’ll have a better range of motion. It’s been tested by major universities,” Thomas said. “It’s done wonders for my body. Hopefully some other guys can come on board and give it a try. I wish I felt this good when I was playing.”

[Sarge4Tide]

Thomas ran the ball down Bama's throats in 1989 down to the 1 yard line.  JoePa decided to kick a field goal down 2 with 1 second remaining, which was blocked.  When the Jets drafted Thomas the next Spring, I was very happy.  

[Thai Jet]

5 minutes ago, Sarge4Tide said:

Thomas ran the ball down Bama's throats in 1989 down to the 1 yard line.  JoePa decided to kick a field goal down 2 with 1 second remaining, which was blocked.  When the Jets drafted Thomas the next Spring, I was very happy.  

Almost for got that Sarge, thanks. When I think of , Bama/Penn St.  I picture the 1979 Sugar Bowl with #77 Barry Krauss stopping Mike Guman at the 1 foot line for the National Championship.  In fact I'm looking at that picture right now on my computer stand. lol

[#27TheDominator]

16 minutes ago, Sarge4Tide said:

Thomas ran the ball down Bama's throats in 1989 down to the 1 yard line.  JoePa decided to kick a field goal down 2 with 1 second remaining, which was blocked.  When the Jets drafted Thomas the next Spring, I was very happy.  

You didn't want McCants?  

[Sarge4Tide]

29 minutes ago, #27TheDominator said:

You didn't want McCants?  

He was a monster, too.  At that time, I would have been thrilled with him, but we should have drafted Cortez Kennedy in hindsight! 

[Jets0712]

I was very excited to get Blair Thomas.. in hindsight. Emmet Smith was there for the taking.


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[GREENBEAN]

1 minute ago, Jets0712 said:

I was very excited to get Blair Thomas.. in hindsight. Emmet Smith was there for the taking.


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Even Rodney Hampton would have been better in retrospect.  Reading the article and hearing about his frustrations with the RB by committee thing is telling though. We had this 2nd overall pick sharing carries with Jonny Hector.  We may have been better too just give Blair the load and let him try to get into a groove. 

 

 

[bitonti]

 

17 minutes ago, Jets0712 said:

I was very excited to get Blair Thomas.. in hindsight. Emmet Smith was there for the taking.
 

In that scenario maybe Emmitt Smith becomes Blair Thomas

and if Blair Thomas ends up on the Jimmy Johnson era Cowboys

et cetera 

 

[#27TheDominator]

33 minutes ago, Sarge4Tide said:

He was a monster, too.  At that time, I would have been thrilled with him, but we should have drafted Cortez Kennedy in hindsight! 

I was a kid and wanted McCants or Kennedy.  My dad was all in on Junior Seau and was incensed when the took a running back. 

24 minutes ago, GREENBEAN said:

Even Rodney Hampton would have been better in retrospect.  Reading the article and hearing about his frustrations with the RB by committee thing is telling though. We had this 2nd overall pick sharing carries with Jonny Hector.  We may have been better too just give Blair the load and let him try to get into a groove. 

 

 

Or maybe we should have drafted one of the HOF defenders sitting there and not gone RB when we had McNeil, Hector and a FB that was very adept at carrying the ball.  

[peebag]

One of the coolest poster name on a Jets fan forum site was:

"TheBlairThomasFumble" 

Cracks me up every time. 

[More Cowbell]

21 minutes ago, bitonti said:

 

In that scenario maybe Emmitt Smith becomes Blair Thomas

and if Blair Thomas ends up on the Jimmy Johnson era Cowboys

et cetera 

 

Blair did play in Dallas. He didn't  do much better there and here and Parcells was the HC.

[More Cowbell]

8 minutes ago, peebag said:

One of the coolest poster name on a Jets fan forum site was:

"TheBlairThomasFumble" 

Cracks me up every time. 

I still shake my head everytime I think about that game where Mcmichael stripped him while we were running the clock out. 

[GREENBEAN]

12 minutes ago, #27TheDominator said:

I was a kid and wanted McCants or Kennedy.  My dad was all in on Junior Seau and was incensed when the took a running back. 

Or maybe we should have drafted one of the HOF defenders sitting there and not gone RB when we had McNeil, Hector and a FB that was very adept at carrying the ball.  

ahhhhh now there's a thought. lol 

I was a junior in High school at the time. I was a big Jets fan during the season but wasn't yet really into the draft dissection. I remember a week or so before it and I read an article about Blair and he seemed like an exciting addition to the team. I LOVED Freeman though so it was a bitter sweet proposition.  I didn't really have any idea on the rights or wrongs of it all yet so it just seemed like we were getting the next big thing from my perspective at the time. 

[slats]

1 hour ago, GREENBEAN said:

Thomas, who also played parts of two more seasons with Dallas, New England and Carolina, hasn’t gotten too far away from the game.

Thomas feels so long ago that my first thought when I read this line was, Carolina had a team back then?!? 

[GREENBEAN]

1 hour ago, slats said:

Thomas feels so long ago that my first thought when I read this line was, Carolina had a team back then?!? 

19 years ago man.  That's pretty crazy. 

Edit: Wait... 29 years ago.  Damn~! 

[TNJet]

2 of our biggest busts came from the same college, PSU. HackenBlair.

[chirorob]

3 hours ago, Sarge4Tide said:

He was a monster, too.  At that time, I would have been thrilled with him, but we should have drafted Cortez Kennedy in hindsight! 

I loved Cortez!

[David Harris]

As a kid I was a big Penn State fan.  Blair Thomas sucking was devastating to me.

 

He's all bitter about the Jets too, says he could have been Emmitt Smith had he gone to the Cowboys.  Blair lost his head after he fumbled against Chicago one year.

[Peace Frog]

Blair never really impressed me as an instinctual runner, seemed to always run stiff with no swivel to his head.

I loved Keith McCants and he was no world beater but still.

[jetscrazey]

That Monday Night fumble at Chicago ended his career as soon as it began

[slats]

26 minutes ago, David Harris said:

Blair lost his head after he fumbled against Chicago one year.

 

9 minutes ago, jetscrazey said:

That Monday Night fumble at Chicago ended his career as soon as it began

No doubt. It was such a shame because he was really having a great game right up until that point, and seemed like he had turned a corner. 

[Peace Frog]

13 minutes ago, slats said:

 

No doubt. It was such a shame because he was really having a great game right up until that point, and seemed like he had turned a corner. 

Exactly 100%.  I kept wanting to love the guy and I finally thought during that game he was becoming who we wanted him to be and then the fumble.

[Peace Frog]

2:18:40  The fumble.

 

[More Cowbell]

1 hour ago, TNJet said:

2 of our biggest busts came from the same college, PSU. HackenBlair.

You can only be a bust if someone actually thought you were going to be a good or great player. I doubt anyone thought Hack would be anything but a project. 

[Jet_Engine1]

One word.....

 

 

 

 

MAGNESIUM

[BurnleyJet]

22 minutes ago, Jet_Engine1 said:

One word.....

 

 

 

 

MAGNESIUM

If only Todd Bowles knew.

[Jetmech]

Even Rodney Hampton would have been better in retrospect.  Reading the article and hearing about his frustrations with the RB by committee thing is telling though. We had this 2nd overall pick sharing carries with Jonny Hector.  We may have been better too just give Blair the load and let him try to get into a groove. 
 
 

I was excited about Blair and always felt he should have been the featured back. I may have forgotten he didn’t use his injuries as an excuse while he was with the Jets.


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[GREENBEAN]

I was excited about Blair and always felt he should have been the featured back. I may have forgotten he didn’t use his injuries as an excuse while he was with the Jets.


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I’m not sure how it all went. I can remember him not being able to put a move on anyone after his first two years. My memory is pretty hazy


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[#27TheDominator]

I watched plenty of college ball in those days and I was way more excited about Murrell and Anderson coming out than Blair Thomas.  I hated his running style. 

[southparkcpa]

4 hours ago, TNJet said:

2 of our biggest busts came from the same college, PSU. HackenBlair.

Hackenblairgholsten  

[GREENBEAN]

Hackenblairgholsten  

Wasn’t gholston Ohio state?


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[New York Mick]

I was happy as hell with Thomas and Moore, I thought they were turning things around. This draft is probably the one that made me so pessimistic with the Jets decisions.

There was so talent they missed in that draft. 

[southparkcpa]

1 hour ago, GREENBEAN said:

Wasn’t gholston Ohio state?


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Of course ... I was just making a name with our 3 big busts.

[GREENBEAN]

Of course ... I was just making a name with our 3 big busts.

Oooooooh. So bypassing the actual joke to make a less funny joke. I understand now.

[Ohio State NY Jets fan]

Hall of Famers from that draft;
Emmitt Smith, running back from University of Florida taken 1st round, 17th overall by the Dallas Cowboys. Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2010.[7]
John Randle, defensive tackle from Texas A&M-Kingsville University, Undrafted.
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2010.[7]
Shannon Sharpe, tight end from Savannah State University, taken 7th round, 192nd overall by the Denver Broncos.
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2011.
Cortez Kennedy, defensive tackle from University of Miami, taken 1st round, 3rd overall by the Seattle Seahawks
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2012.
Junior Seau, linebacker from University of Southern California, taken 1st round, 5th overall by the San Diego Chargers
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2015 (posthumous).