Hollis Thomas

Hollis Thomas Jr. (born January 10, 1974) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Northern Illinois Huskies and was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 1996.

Hollis Thomas

Thomas in 2013
No. 78, 99, 93, 75
Position:	Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1974-01-10) January 10, 1974 (age 51) Abilene, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	340 lb (154 kg)
Career information
High school:	Sumner (St. Louis, Missouri)
College:	Northern Illinois
NFL draft:	1996: undrafted
Career history
As a player:
Philadelphia Eagles (1996–2005) New Orleans Saints (2006–2008) St. Louis Rams (2009) Carolina Panthers (2009) Omaha Nighthawks (2010)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Philadelphia Soul (2013) Defensive line coach
Career highlights and awards
Football News All-Rookie Team (1996) First-team All-Big West (1995)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 518 Sacks: 20.0 Forced fumbles: 7 Fumble recoveries: 8 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Thomas also played for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.

Professional career

Philadelphia Eagles

In 1996, Thomas signed a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. He was a major part of the Eagles defense during his 10-year career in Philadelphia.

New Orleans Saints

Right after Thomas was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles, the Saints claimed him from the waivers. When healthy, Thomas was considered an important part of the Saints' defense, especially against running plays, and he was seen as playing a key role in the Saints' successful 2006 season, when they reached the NFC championship game for the first time in their history.^[1]

On December 5, 2006, Thomas was suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the league's steroids policy. In Thomas' appeal, New Orleans team doctor John Amos said that Thomas' asthma medicine contained two steroids, creating a false positive but Thomas lost the appeal.

Thomas tore his right triceps on August 14, 2008, in a pass-rushing drill against a Houston Texans offensive lineman. He was later released on September 11 with an injury settlement. The Saints re-signed him on November 3.

On April 29, 2009, it was reported that the Saints had released Thomas.^[1]

St. Louis Rams

On July 29, 2009, the St. Louis Rams signed Thomas. He was given a 1-year deal for an undisclosed amount.

Carolina Panthers

Thomas was signed by the Carolina Panthers on October 1, 2009, after the team waived defensive tackle Ra'Shon Harris. In a game against the Buffalo Bills on October 25, 2009, Thomas tackled Bills running back Fred Jackson in the end-zone for a safety.

NFL career statistics

Legend
	Led the league
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Tackles				Interceptions				Fumbles
		GP	GS	Comb	Solo	Ast	Sck	Int	Yds	TD	Lng	FF	FR	Yds	TD
1996	PHI	16	5	42	32	10	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1997	PHI	16	16	61	39	22	2.5	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	0
1998	PHI	12	12	42	34	8	5.0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
1999	PHI	16	16	49	38	11	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	1	2	0
2000	PHI	16	16	60	46	14	4.0	0	0	0	0	3	1	0	0
2001	PHI	14	14	52	43	9	0.0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0
2003	PHI	7	2	22	16	6	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2004	PHI	13	2	21	17	4	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
2005	PHI	16	12	35	27	8	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2006	NOR	12	12	43	35	8	3.5	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
2007	NOR	16	14	50	38	12	3.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2008	NOR	8	2	6	5	1	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2009	STL	3	0	2	2	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	CAR	13	13	33	24	9	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
		178	136	518	396	122	20.0	0	0	0	0	7	8	2	0

Playoffs

Year	Team	Games		Tackles				Interceptions				Fumbles
		GP	GS	Comb	Solo	Ast	Sck	Int	Yds	TD	Lng	FF	FR	Yds	TD
1996	PHI	1	0	5	5	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2000	PHI	2	2	7	7	0	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
2004	PHI	3	0	5	3	2	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2006	NOR	2	2	6	2	4	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
		8	4	23	17	6	2.0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0