Russ Thomas

Russ Thomas
Thomas on a 1948 Bowman football card
No. 71
Position:Tackle
Personal information
Born:(1924-07-24)July 24, 1924
Griffithsville, West Virginia, U.S.
Died:March 19, 1991(1991-03-19) (aged 66)
Naples, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:237 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High school:Charleston (WV)
College:Ohio State (1943–1945)
NFL draft:1946: 3rd round, 22nd pick
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
  • Detroit Lions (19521953)
    Assistant coach
As a staff member / executive:
  • Detroit Lions (19641966)
    Director of player personnel
  • Detroit Lions (19671989)
    General manager
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:44
Games started:27
Fumble recoveries:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

John Russell Thomas (July 24, 1924 – March 19, 1991) was an American professional football tackle who played four seasons with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Lions in the third round of the 1946 NFL draft after playing college football at Ohio State University. Thomas was the general manager of the Lions from 1967 to 1989.