Earl Lewis Thomas (October 4, 1948 – July 4, 2020) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He was born in Greenville, Texas, and played college ball at the University of Houston. Thomas played six seasons for the Chicago Bears, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Houston Oilers.
Thomas was selected in the sixth-round of the 1971 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He played three seasons in Chicago before joining the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974. He helped lead St. Louis to NFC East titles in 1974 and 1975. He scored the first playoff touchdown in St. Louis Cardinals history against the Minnesota Vikings on December 21, 1974.
In 1975, Thomas averaged 17.9 yards per catch. However, he and the Cardinals' management had a falling out, and with the emergence of wide receiver Ike Harris, Thomas was traded to the Green Bay Packers after the season.
His brothers Mike Thomas and Jimmy Thomas also played in the NFL.
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