Thomas Herrion facts for kids
Herrion with the Utah Utes in 2003
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| No. 76 | |
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| Position: | Offensive guard |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | December 15, 1981 Fort Worth, Texas |
| Died: | August 20, 2005 (aged 23) Denver, Colorado |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight: | 320 lb (145 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Polytechnic High School (Fort Worth, Texas) |
| College: | Utah |
| Undrafted: | 2004 |
| Career history | |
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Thomas Lovell Herrion (born December 15, 1981 – died August 20, 2005) was an American football player. He played as an offensive guard in the National Football League (NFL). Thomas played for teams like the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. He also played for the Hamburg Sea Devils in NFL Europe. Before turning pro, he played college football at the University of Utah.
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Growing Up and High School Sports
Thomas Herrion went to Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He was a very important player on his high school football team. For four years, he started every game as the left tackle.
Besides football, Thomas was also good at other sports. In his sophomore and junior years, he competed in track and field. He threw the discus throw and the shot put. He also played center on the school's basketball team when he was a sophomore.
College Football Journey
Thomas started his college football career at Kilgore College. This is a type of college called a junior college. In his first year, he helped his team win the Red River Bowl. They also won the conference championship in 2000.
In his second year, his team had an amazing season. They finished with no losses, going 12-0. They were ranked as the 4th best junior college team in the country. Thomas was recognized for his great play. He earned honors like first-team All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference.
After Kilgore College, Thomas moved to the University of Utah. This was for his junior year. He played in 10 games as a right tackle. He even started the last three games of the season.
In his senior year, a new coach named Urban Meyer joined the team. Thomas started all 12 games as a left guard. He played a key role in protecting the team's quarterback, Alex Smith. Alex Smith later became the first player picked in the NFL draft. Thomas helped his team win the Mountain West Conference championship. They also won the Liberty Bowl. Overall, he played in 22 college games.
Playing in the NFL
After college, Thomas Herrion was not chosen in the NFL draft. But the Dallas Cowboys signed him as an undrafted free agent in May 2004. He later joined their practice squad. A practice squad is where players train with the team but are not on the main roster.
In December 2004, the San Francisco 49ers signed Thomas to their practice squad. In January 2005, he signed a full contract with the 49ers.
The 49ers then sent him to play for the Hamburg Sea Devils. This team was part of NFL Europe, a league that helped players develop. He started 10 games as a left tackle for them. His good performance earned him an invitation to the 49ers' training camp.
Thomas Herrion's Passing
On August 20, 2005, Thomas Herrion played in a game against the Denver Broncos. After the game, he collapsed in the locker room. He was quickly taken to a hospital in Denver. Sadly, he passed away.
Doctors later found that he had a heart condition. This condition is called ischaemic heart disease or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Thomas Herrion was remembered by the NFL community. The San Francisco 49ers created the Thomas Herrion Memorial Award. This award is given to a player who shows the same great spirit as Thomas.
In 2006, a learning center at Kilgore College was named after him. It became the "Thomas L. Herrion TRIO Learning Center." In 2018, he was honored again. He was added to the Kilgore College Athletics Hall of Fame.
About Thomas's Life
Thomas Herrion was not just a football player. He was also a talented musician. He played the drums in his church band. His former coach, Mike Nolan, once said that Thomas was "musical."
