Skip Thomas facts for kids

Alonzo "Skip" Thomas (born February 7, 1950 – died July 24, 2011) was a talented American football player. He was known by his nickname, "Dr. Death." Skip played as a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL).

Skip Thomas's College Football Journey

Skip Thomas started his college football career at Arizona Western Junior College. He earned a scholarship to play there. Later, he moved on to play college football for the University of Southern California.

Playing in the NFL: The Oakland Raiders

Skip Thomas played his entire professional football career with one team. He was a member of the Oakland Raiders from 1972 to 1977. During his time with the Raiders, he was a key player.

Highlights with the Raiders

Skip Thomas was especially good at getting interceptions. An interception happens when a defensive player catches a pass meant for an offensive player. He had two amazing seasons in 1974 and 1975. In each of those years, he made six interceptions.

How Skip Got His Nickname "Dr. Death"

Many people thought Skip Thomas got his nickname "Dr. Death" because of his strong tackling. However, the real story is a bit different. According to football coach John Madden's book, a famous player named Bob "Boomer" Brown gave him the nickname. When Bob Brown first met Skip, he thought Skip looked like a cartoon character called "Dr. Death." The name stuck with him throughout his career.

Later Life

Skip Thomas passed away on July 24, 2011. He was 61 years old at the time. He died from a heart attack.