The Oklahoma football community and the sport of college football mourn the loss of Clendon Thomas, the legendary running back who anchored the Sooners’ back-to-back national championship teams in the 1950s. His death at age 90 closes the book on one of the most iconic eras in the program’s storied history.
Clendon Thomas, the Hall of Fame running back whose powerful legs were a cornerstone of Oklahoma’s unprecedented 47-game winning streak and two national titles in the 1950s, has died. He was 90. Thomas passed away from pneumonia on Monday night in Tulsa, his longtime friend and former college roommate, Chuck Bowman, confirmed on Tuesday.
A native of Oklahoma City, Thomas’s arrival in Norman in 1955 coincided with the peak of the Sooners’ dynasty under the legendary coach Bud Wilkinson. He didn’t just join a winning team; he became its engine. For three seasons, Thomas was the focal point of an offense that dominated college football, a key figure in a run of success that has defined the program for generations.
Thomas’s impact was immediate and profound. He was a significant contributor to the Sooners’ 1955 and 1956 national championships, a period that cemented Oklahoma’s reputation as a national powerhouse. His most celebrated individual honor came in 1957, when he was a unanimous All-American, a testament to his status as one of the premier players in the nation. That season, he also led the country in scoring, showcasing his versatility and ability to change a game from anywhere on the field. His career statistics underscore his greatness: 2,156 rushing yards and 3,209 all-purpose yards, with an incredible 34 touchdowns on just 355 touches.
His legacy extends far beyond the stat sheet. Thomas was a standard-bearer for excellence and integrity, qualities that defined the Oklahoma teams of that era. As the Associated Press noted, his excellence on the field was matched only by his leadership and character off it. This was recognized in 2011 when he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, joining the pantheon of the sport’s greatest players. NFF chairman Archie Manning praised him as “one of the great standard-bearers of Oklahoma football and a cornerstone of one of the most legendary teams our game has ever seen.”
After his collegiate career, Thomas transitioned to the NFL, where he played 11 seasons for the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers. He successfully shifted from running back to defensive back, recording 27 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries. His adaptability and toughness were hallmarks of his professional career, just as they were in college.
Thomas’s influence extended beyond the gridiron. He was the founding president of the Putnam City (Oklahoma) Schools Foundation and served on the national board of directors for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, dedicating his later years to community service and mentoring young people. His life was a testament to the values he learned and embodied as a Sooner.
For fans of Oklahoma football, the name Clendon Thomas evokes images of a simpler, more dominant era. He was a symbol of a program built on power, precision, and unbreakable will. His death is not just the loss of a former player; it is the passing of a living connection to a golden age of the sport. A service for Thomas is scheduled for late February at Putnam City Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, a final opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate a life that left an indelible mark on the game he loved.
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