Clendon Thomas

Bio

As an Oklahoma City kid during the Dust Bowl days, Clendon Thomas achieved his dream of playing football for the Oklahoma Sooners. “I got to do what I dreamed about doing,” Thomas said about his football experience at Oklahoma. Thomas played on undefeated, national title winning teams his sophomore and junior years in 1955 and 1956. Those teams won 47 straight games through the 1957 season, which became the longest major college football winning streak in history. Thomas was the nation’s leading scorer in 1956 as a junior registering 18 touchdowns. Thomas’ college record was 31-1. In total, Thomas accumulated 2,118 rushing yards in his three seasons, never averaging less than 6.3 yards per attempt. His all-purpose yardage was spectacular. He gained 3,209 yards and scored 36 touchdowns on 355 touches by rushing, receiving, and returning punts, kicks, and interceptions. He averaged nine yards every time he touched the ball and scored once every ten plays. Clendon was a second round selection as a defensive back in the 1958 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. He played 11 seasons with the Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers, appearing in 137 games with 27 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries. He appeared in the 1963 Pro Bowl and was named a second- team All-Pro three times.

Career Highlights

• 1957 All-Conference
• 1957 Consensus All-America
• 1957 Heisman - Ninth
• 1956 All-Conference
• 1956 Led nation in scoring
• 1956 Second Team All-America