The Buffalo Bills plan to retire Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas’ No. 34 jersey Oct. 29 when they host the New England Patriots.
Thomas will become the third player to have his number retired. The Bills retired quarterback Jim Kelly’s No. 12 in 2001 and defensive end Bruce Smith’s No. 78 in 2016.
Thomas, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, played for the Bills from 1988-99 and was a part of four straight AFC championship teams. He spent his final season with the Miami Dolphins.
Thomas was named the NFL’s most valuable player in 1991. He’s the only player in NFL history to lead the league in yards from scrimmage for four straight seasons.
Thomas ranks 16th on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 12,074 yards. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007. He was a five-time Pro Bowler who played in four Super Bowls with Buffalo, all four of which the team infamously lost.
Like many other retired players, Thomas has opened up in recent years about the long-term health effects playing football has had on him. He’s one of the most recognizable faces in Bills history and is certainly deserving of joining Kelly and Smith.
"What makes it a little more special is that I played with both of those guys [Kelly and Smith]," Thomas said Wednesday. "To be here with two guys that I played with for a number of years, and see how much hard work and everything that they put into playing when they put that uniform on, I guess it kind of solidifies the top three guys in this era or for this organization."
The team has also not reassigned the No. 32 jersey worn by former running back O.J. Simpson, although his number has not been officially retired.
