John Thomas

John Thomas (born January 25, 1935) is an American former professional football player who was a tackle for 10 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL).

Biography

John Thomas was born January 25, 1935, in Tyler, Texas.

He attended the College of the Pacific, a private college in Stockton, California affiliated with the United Methodist Church. At Pacific he played football and basketball, particularly excelling in the latter sport, captaining the team for two years a row and earning All-Pacific Coast status.

Thomas' basketball skills were good enough to earn a try out with the St. Louis Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Thomas was selected as an end in the 23rd round of the 1957 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers, who made him the 272nd player taken overall. The tepid estimation of his receiving potential made by player personnel men around the league proved reasonably founded, unfortunately, and the 215-pound receiver failed the make the 49ers roster and was unconditionally released.

During the off-season, Thomas worked for the probation department of Alameda County, California.