Orlando Thomas
PositionSafety
Number42, 43
Birth dateOctober 21, 1972
Death dateNovember 9, 2014 (aged 42)
Birth placeCrowley, Louisiana, U.S.
Death placeCrowley, Louisiana, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in1
Weight lbs222
Draftyear1995
Draftround2
Draftpick42
High schoolCrowley
CollegeLouisiana
Teams
Statlabel 1Tackles
Statvalue 1457
Statlabel 2Interceptions
Statvalue 222
Statlabel 3Touchdowns
Statvalue 32
PfrThomOr20
Highlights

Orlando Paul Thomas[1] (October 21, 1972 – November 9, 2014) was an American professional football player who was a defensive back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) from 1995 until 2001. He played college football for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns.

Career

Thomas stood 6-1 and weighed 225 pounds during his playing career. He was a second-round draft pick out of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in 1995.[2] In a wild-card game of the 1996 NFL playoffs, Thomas was injured against the Dallas Cowboys. He intercepted a deflected pass, but his knee stuck to the turf at Texas Stadium and he was carted off. He started 87 of 98 games for the Vikings, intercepting 22 passes, including 9 during his rookie season. He retired following the 2001 season.

On June 29, 1997, he was arrested in his hometown of Crowley, Louisiana and charged with inciting a riot and two counts of disturbing the peace. The charges were reduced to one count of disturbing the peace, and Thomas pleaded no contest. He was ordered to pay a $100 fine, pay court costs, and perform 50 hours of community service.

Thomas married his wife Demetra on February 27, 1998, only two months after their first date and five months after first meeting at Cheese Car Wash in north Minneapolis. He has four children, Alexis, Angelle, Orlando Jr., and Alana, Demetra has a child from a previous relationship.

In 1999, Thomas was charged after allegedly assaulting his wife Demetra. He later pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge of simple battery.[3]

Thomas revealed in June 2007 that he was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).[4] On October 28, 2009, it was reported on the Minnesota Vikings' website that Thomas had died,[5] but the organization withdrew the report and apologized to Thomas and his family after it proved to be false.[6] Thomas died of complications from ALS on November 9, 2014.[7]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
1995MIN16115141100.0—9108145—14191
1996MIN16168365180.0—557034—2100
1997MIN15137057130.0—2101—12261
1998MIN1616696090.5—227027—0000
1999MIN13127253190.0023212742100
2000MIN99373071.01100050200
2001MIN13106145160.00100070000
Total9887443351921.512222524516610452

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
1996MIN112200.0—140400000
1997MIN203300.0—000000000
1998MIN224400.0—000000000
2000MIN111100.00000000000
Total64101000.00140400000

References

  1. ^ https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomOr20.htm
  2. ^ "1995 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  3. ^ "CBS News". April 18, 1999. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011.
  4. ^ "Star Tribune". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2009.
  5. ^ "NBC Sports". October 28, 2009.
  6. ^ "Star Tribune". Star Tribune[dead link]
  7. ^ Schefter, Adam (November 10, 2014). "Former Viking Orlando Thomas dies". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2025-08-21.