A former San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants legendary tight end died last month at the age of 86. Per a statement by the Giants, Aaron Thomas died at his residence in Corvallis, OR, on April 26. He had been battling an illness.
A former San Francisco 49ers draft pick died
Following a standout college career at Oregon State, the San Francisco 49ers drafted Thomas in the fourth round of the 1961 NFL Draft. The 49ers traded Thomas to the Giants in the 1962 season, and he’d have a spectacular career in New York. Per the Giants’ statement, Thomas is currently 17th in the team’s history in receptions:
“Thomas played 116 regular-season games for the Giants from 1962-70. Fifty-four years after his final game, he is 17th in franchise history with 254 receptions, 14th with 4,253 yards, and tied with teammates Homer Jones and Del Shofner for sixth with 35 touchdown catches. Thomas also had two receptions in the 1963 NFL Championship Game. He missed only seven games in his career due to injury.”
Aaron Thomas was the father of NFL WR Robb Thomas
Thomas is the father of Robb Thomas, who also played football at Oregon State before the Kansas City Chiefs drafted him in the sixth round of the 1989 NFL Draft. Robb played in the NFL as a wide receiver until his career ended in 1998 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Per the Giants statement, Robb compared Aaron to Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce:
“I ordered a highlight film from the NFL called, ‘Aaron Thomas NFL.’ It’s on YouTube,” said Robb Thomas, Aaron’s son, who played 10 years in the league as a wide receiver. “I love watching that because it’s so much fun to see all the old Giants players and be able to see some of the amazing things he did.
He’s almost like the early version of (Kansas City Chiefs tight end) Travis Kelce. He was a tight end and flanker, but he really ran good routes and had a good feel about getting into open space.”
NFL and New York Giants fans react to the news
RIP
— Schwabcycler (@schwabcycler) May 3, 2024
Was the TE when I first became a fan than we got Bob Tucker
— Kevin LaFaso (@kjlafaso) May 3, 2024
He and Del Shofner were my first two favorite players. I think Thomas lived in my town for a bit while he was playing, but I’m not 100% sure on that.
— Tony Saporito (@sapori57538) May 3, 2024
He was skilled enough not only to play TE but also at the WR position. Truly way ahead of his time.
— Rick Preato (@nygjupiter) May 3, 2024
The Giants TE when I first followed them. Had hands and speed. 17.4 YPC career average – great for a TE.
He would be a legend well-remembered if YA Tittle connected late in the 1963 title game.
Slowly, the Giants of my youth leave us.
RIP and thanks for the memories. pic.twitter.com/lnfeoB2TAu
— p – GrandOLTeam (@JBLuvsCeltic) May 3, 2024
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1 Comment
The catch he made in the championship game was inbounds but ruled out of bounds because a border was painted in the end zone which was inbounds
The ref saw Thomas come down in the painted area and ruled it was out of bounds
I remember that play as if it was yesterday