CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Former Fighting Illini and NFL running back Pierre Thomas will serve as the team's honorary captain for Saturday afternoon's matchup with the Florida Atlantic Owls at Memorial Stadium.
Thomas, a Chicago native, was a standout performer in the Illinois backfield from 2003-06 and led the team's rushing attack in each of his final three seasons. He played in 40 games for the Orange and Blue and amassed 2,545 rushing yards, which ranked sixth in Illinois history when his career concluded, and his 4,451 career all-purpose yards were second in Illini annals at that time. Thomas also tallied 24 total touchdowns – 20 rushing, three receiving, and one as a kick returner – a mark that still ranks tied for 10th in the Illinois record book.
After signing with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2007, Thomas embarked on a nine-year NFL career highlighted by his time as a featured back in one of the NFL's most prolific offenses. He helped lead New Orleans to a Super Bowl XLIV appearance with 99 total yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in an overtime win over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Game. He then posted 85 yards and scored the team's first touchdown of the game as the Saints captured the Super Bowl XLIV title with a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Overall, Thomas played in 110 NFL games and tallied 3,809 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards with 40 total touchdowns (28 rushing and 12 receiving).
Thomas retired from the NFL following the 2016 season after stints with San Francisco and Washington during the 2015 season. He was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 2018.
