‘As great a player as he was – and regardless of what happens in that voting room in Detroit Saturday, there is no question he is one of the all-time NFL greats – Thomas, who did not return phone calls for this story, meant so much more to the Bills than being just a runner and a receiver. “He was a great player, a multi-faceted player, but he was also good for team morale,” said his coach, Marv Levy. “His personality was great. Thurman would speak his mind, but he was never one to say ‘What I say will reflect leadership.’ He’d grumble every now and then, but he was genuine. It wasn’t him being this haughty guy and saying ‘I’m the star around here.'”‘