Fadingpain Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 With all the talk about Thurman today I thought it would be fun/interesting to hear what different fans remember about watching Thurman in so many games for the Bills. Doesn't have to be his greatest run ever, but just any memory that stands out. Younger fans who missed him may find this interesting. A few things that I always think of when I think of Thurman: 1) First and foremost, always just casually tossing the ball or handing the ball to the official in the end zone after just scoring a TD. My memory is that Thurman always did that, even right from the beginning, as if to say "I've scored a ton of these already and will score a ton more, nothing to get too excited about." 2) His crazy ability to just sort of stutter, start, stop, wiggle, and shift his way through crowds of players for 3 or 4 yards on a busted play that should have gotten zero yards or taken a loss of yardage. 3) The way he sometimes put his hand on OT Howard "House" Ballard's ass, ducked down, and just vanished behind the House as he ran downfield acting like a human blocking shield. House was a beast of a man in an era when "300 pounders" were still somewhat rare. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo716 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 The best all around back of the late 80s early 90s Trucking people and spinning off them Better hands than Zay Jones a WR 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Clause Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 (edited) He had this way of running into a pile, finding the hole spinning 180 degrees pushing through the hole and gaining extra yards... He was a joy to watch... Edited May 16, 2018 by Fred Clause Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 2 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said: The best all around back of the late 80s early 90s Trucking people and spinning off them Better hands than Zay Jones a WR ...exactly.......also.... 1. The agonizing look on his face during Draft Day waiting for the phone to ring through the 1st round. 2. Falling to the 2nd because of knee injury, Bills made the move and he had a "chip". 3. Making good on the "chip" WELL beyond expectations. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuncha Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Dolphin killer 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 The running and the catching was great......but did he ever miss picking up a blitz??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 He was amazing to watch...the thing i loved most was at the end of the games when everyone knew he was getting the ball to run the clock out, he got first down after first down...they knew it was coming and they still couldn't stop it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacklabel Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 He's the original helmet catch guy. Did it way before David Tyree made it so cool, haha, I kid, but yeah, he caught a pass in a game during the '90 season that he held against the side of his helmet as he fell backwards to the turf. It was a gain of 35 or something. I think it may have came against the Dolphins. It stands out to me because I remember watching the old VHS tape of the 1990 season video yearbook as a kid. Aside from that, he kind of had a hand in somewhat redefining the role of the running back with his ability to not only be an outlet for Kelly to dump it down to but also line up as a receiver and run routes. He also had incredible balance and was tough to tackle given how he ran with a low center of gravity that allowed him to out-leverage defenders. I also think he was the last player to wear that style of facemask which you don't see for a RB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vorpma Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 21 minutes ago, Augie said: The running and the catching was great......but did he ever miss picking up a blitz??? Go away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 27 minutes ago, Azucho98 said: Dolphin killer ...and of ALL things, he signed with them...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 3 minutes ago, vorpma said: Go away! I get that A LOT! Hmmm. ? He really made it look so easy. He’d go low, but never too low. The running style was a thing I had to bring up videos to show my kids. He was very hard to get a clean shot on and he caught the ball like a WR. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 1 minute ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said: ...and of ALL things, he signed with them...... He beat them from the outside and now he was going to beat them from inside. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheElectricCompany Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Thurman's running style is so cool to watch, it's almost like he was gliding out there! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Just now, Limeaid said: He beat them from the outside and now he was going to beat them from inside. He was a double agent, I’m sure. If not, I’ll write it off to no one is perfect... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigdaddyinOrlando Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 The agonizing draft video feed of him at home The way he always made the right play, cut, juke etc seemed to never get hit head on full force The best running play of his career in the super bowl to get us to FG range! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThunderingHerd Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 My favorite thing about watching Thurman Thomas run was his patience. One of the best at waiting for his lineman and set up their blocks. I remember one screen pass in particular in a playoff game against the Dolphins in Miami. He caught it and just kind of moved laterally until his lineman had a chance to catch up, then it was off to the races for the TD. The only one I know of today who can mirror this type of patience is Laveon Bell. Really fun to watch Thurman set it all up while the play is in action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niagara Bill Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Carolina Panthers first game at the Ralph. Frank R qb. 10 yr old son burned his hand at tailgate on hot pan. Stadium first aid treated him. We sat on 50 yr line row 1. 23 to 9 for Bills At end of game TT came over to my son and gave him his game gloves. Next summer in Fredonia TT asked him where the other glove was when he got it autographed. (Left at home so as to not lose both). My son is 33 now and the gloves hang in a frame in a place of honor. Every time I see TT supporting Buffalo I recall these days. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Pouting on the bench after fumbling on two straight possessions against Dallas in SB XXVIII. Players fumble. No big deal. But champions don't pout. The pouting sucked the life out of a team that was dominating Dallas the first half of that game. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockinon Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 He was the key for that K-gun offense. Always on the same page with Kelly. Did almost everything well....don't think he was that great at blocking until later in his career(Even then not great). That fast paced offense combined with Thurman's ability to run or catch really kept defenses on their heels. Definitely had a chip on his shoulder and never seemed to get tired. Wore entire defenses out by the beginning of the second half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 I remember he played for Buffalo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Running over Bryan Cox on a crucial 3rd and 1 to allow the Bills to run out the clock and win the game. The AFC championship game against the Chiefs. His best rushing game ever IMO. He was amazing that game. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roch Jim Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Before a big Dolphin game Ralph was walking among the players during warmups, Thurman was so pumped up he was screaming in Ralph's face and gave him such hard handslaps it's a miracle Ralph didn't keel over. Then Thurman went out and dominated the game. Loved his enthusiasm for the game 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frostbitmic Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 1 hour ago, Augie said: The running and the catching was great......but did he ever miss picking up a blitz??? You just hit the trifecta ... running the ball, catching the ball, blocking on pass plays when that was his job ... THURMAN DID IT ALL !!! #34 should never be worn by a Bills player ever again. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon in Pasadena Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Watching two rabid linebackers swiftly closing the hole from opposite sides and thinking "oh no, that squatty body is never going to make it through now" and suddenly TT turning sideways and somehow squirting through for an extra 15 yards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4th&long Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 He was always angry. He was poetry in motion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 To the OP’s question; everything. His very first carry in the ‘88 Opener vs Minnesota, he hit the line off Hull’s butt, bounced sideways through the LBs until they dragged him down after an 8 yard gain. It would become his signature play for 12 years, repeated hundreds of times. His last carry with the Dolphins? Slashing off the right side for a sideways 8 yard gain. Brilliant player. Kudos to the Bills for this fantastic gesture. #SquattyBody Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 8 minutes ago, frostbitmic said: You just hit the trifecta ... running the ball, catching the ball, blocking on pass plays when that was his job ... THURMAN DID IT ALL !!! #34 should never be worn by a Bills player ever again. If only he could keep better track of his helmet! I was at the Redskins SB and he wasn’t in the backfield on the first play. I was sure we were doing something very clever - but it was the opposite.... ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommonCents Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Balance. I guess the Bell comparison is worth a nod. Always balanced, patient, hands, reliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peace Frog Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 I was at this game and will never forget how hard TT ran in that game. We win the game, we win the East. If Miami wins, they win the East. What a game. I remember the fans rushing onto the field in celebration, tearing down the goal posts on the tunnel end, and seeing one of the uprights make its way over the top of the visitor's side upper deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoTom Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 He should've been Super Bowl MVP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Things Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 He put more faith in his lead blockers, than I've ever seen. He always seemed to find his way through traffic to gain yards. So much fun to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Egg Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 (edited) What Do I Remember about Thurman Thomas ? .....that I should go to Batavia Downs to gamble and have Dr. Todd Shatkin look at my teeth. Edited May 16, 2018 by Ifartalot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fergie's ire Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Post game press conference after a playoff game against Miami...said "We kicked their ass" and remember seeing it on ESPN and commentator saying, "Wait...can you say "ass" on tv"? Apparently, you could...and he did. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills4life1924 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Thurman was main attraction for a local stores grand opening near me a few years back, I was 3rd in line (Thanks to a great wife who waited for 4 hours, while I was at work, God bless her), Thurman was almost an hour late. He blamed his driver and joked about hiring new driver lol.. Great personality and all around stand up guy (let alone player). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 One of the first (maybe the first, I can't remember) to take the snap directly from the center and go through the 'A' gap. No opposing defense was able to stop him from ripping off a big chunk of yardage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Missing helmet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QB12 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 An absolutely true story: Ten years ago, I got lost and somehow ended up on a rural stretch of road in Colden, NY. Initially stubborn about admitting that I was lost, I drove around in circles for awhile, thinking I'll get my bearings straightened out eventually. Only when the needle on my gas gauge touched "E", I had little choice but to seek help, and told myself first house I see I'll stop and ask someone for help. After climbing a steep incline, I noticed a house on my left. Drove down into the steeped driveway, where several vehicles sat together a couple of first downs from the house. Knocked on the door, and guess who answers? I kid you not, No. 34, took me less than a few seconds to realize it was him out of uniform. Stood there trying not to show I was Star-struck. Not only did he help me point old "Betsy" into the right direction, he took the time to honor my on the spot request for an autograph for my young kids. A Class Act. You always know a man's true colors when the cameras aren't rolling, and he has nothing to gain, yet conducts himself with class. Congratulations!, Mr. Thomas on the retirement of your jersey. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_In_NH Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 2 hours ago, Azucho98 said: Dolphin killer Oh yeah! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longtimebillsfan Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Some of his most amazing runs were inside the opponent's 10 yard line. If he got the ball in the red zone, he was a scoring machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putin Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 2 hours ago, Azucho98 said: Dolphin killer This ^^^^^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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