While it has long been old news in Calhoun County, Fred Thomas has officially announced his retirement after 12 seasons in the NFL.
Thomas was a second round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 1996, but after four seasons in the Emerald City he signed a free agent contract the New Orleans Saints where he would eventually finish his NFL career.
During his career Thomas was faced against some of the best of the best the NFL had to offer including his first time stepping on the field against Jerry Rice. The star-struck Bruce native was so focused on making a play against the future hall of famer that he lined up two yards offsides on the very first play, but he later left his mark on NFL trivia when he came up with the first interception of Super Bowl Champ and NFL MVP Petyon Manning’s career.
In 2002, Thomas was voted All-Pro by Sports Illustrated and was honored with the Ed Block Courage Award after playing an entire season with a broken hand. He was also voted team captain by his teammates four times with the Saints.
