Dontarrious Thomas
Encyclopedia
Dontarrious Dewayne Thomas (born September 2, 1980 in Perry, Georgia
) is an American football
linebacker
for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings
in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Auburn
.
Thomas has also been a member of the San Francisco 49ers
, California Redwoods and San Diego Chargers
.
, Dontarrious Thomas was a three sport standout in football, basketball, and track. In football, he was a Class 2-A-All-State selection,and as a senior, had 6 interceptions, returned an interception for a touchdown, had 78 tackles (50 solo tackles, 28 assisted), and rushed for 278 yards on only 14 carries (19.9 yd. per rush avg.).
in the second round (48th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft
. He played four seasons with the Vikings, appearing in 59 games (10 starts) and recording 143 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Brandon Moore was released in August, Thomas switched to Moore's No. 56 while the newly signed Takeo Spikes
took 51.
However, on August 31, 2008, Thomas was released by the 49ers to make room for linebacker
Ahmad Brooks
.
on October 13, 2008 when offensive tackle Drew Radovich
was placed on injured reserve
. Thomas appeared in four games for the Vikings that season, recording one assisted tackle.
on January 5, 2010 after linebacker
James Holt
was placed on injured reserve
. He is currently a special team player, and most likely will not be used elsewhere.
Perry, Georgia
Perry is a city in Houston county in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Warner Robins, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 9,600 at the 2000 census. This town is the county seat of Houston County...
) is an American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft
2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
.
Thomas has also been a member of the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, California Redwoods and San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Early years
At Perry High School in Perry, GeorgiaPerry, Georgia
Perry is a city in Houston county in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Warner Robins, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 9,600 at the 2000 census. This town is the county seat of Houston County...
, Dontarrious Thomas was a three sport standout in football, basketball, and track. In football, he was a Class 2-A-All-State selection,and as a senior, had 6 interceptions, returned an interception for a touchdown, had 78 tackles (50 solo tackles, 28 assisted), and rushed for 278 yards on only 14 carries (19.9 yd. per rush avg.).
First stint with Vikings
Thomas was drafted by the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
in the second round (48th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft
2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
. He played four seasons with the Vikings, appearing in 59 games (10 starts) and recording 143 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
San Francisco 49ers
Thomas was originally signed No. 51 upon signing with the 49ers in 2008. When linebackerLinebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Brandon Moore was released in August, Thomas switched to Moore's No. 56 while the newly signed Takeo Spikes
Takeo Spikes
Takeo Gerard Spikes is an American football linebacker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals 13th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft...
took 51.
However, on August 31, 2008, Thomas was released by the 49ers to make room for linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Ahmad Brooks
Ahmad Brooks
Ahmad Brooks is an American football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2006 NFL Supplemental Draft. He played college football at Virginia.He is the son of late NFL defensive tackle Perry...
.
Second stint with Vikings
Thomas was signed by the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
on October 13, 2008 when offensive tackle Drew Radovich
Drew Radovich
Drew Radovich is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Southern California....
was placed on injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
. Thomas appeared in four games for the Vikings that season, recording one assisted tackle.
California Redwoods
Thomas signed with the California Redwoods of the United Football League in 2009 and recorded 35 tackles.San Diego Chargers
Thomas was signed by the San Diego ChargersSan Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on January 5, 2010 after linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
James Holt
James Holt (American football)
James Holt is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Kansas.-External links:**...
was placed on injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
. He is currently a special team player, and most likely will not be used elsewhere.