Aaron Thomas, one of the most prolific tight ends in New York Giants history, died last week at the age of 86 following a long illness.
The Giants announced Thomas’ death Friday, saying he died April 26 at his home in Corvallis, Oregon.
Thomas played in 116 regular season games with the Giants between 1962 and 1970, missing only seven games during his career due to injury.
He ranks 17th in franchise history with 254 receptions, 14th with 4,253 yards and is tied for sixth with 35 touchdowns.
“He’s almost like the early version of (Kansas City Chiefs tight end) Travis Kelce,” his son, Robb Thomas, who played a decade in the league, said on the team’s website.
Aaron Thomas, one of the most prolific tight ends in Giants history, died last week
“He was a tight end and a flanker, but he really ran good routes and had a good feel when it came to getting into open space.”
A fourth-round pick in 1961, Thomas was traded to the Giants after two games in 1962. Two years later, Thomas led the Giants with 43 receptions for 624 yards and six touchdowns and was selected to the Pro Bowl.
In 1967, he recorded a career-high total of 51 catches, 877 yards and nine scores. He retired after the 1970 season.
“He was very proud and loved his years with the Giants,” Robb added. “He loved the Mara family very much. They were good to him. He has always been a Giants fan.
After his NFL career, Thomas became a stockbroker in Los Angeles before he and his father purchased a restaurant/bar/bowling alley in Yreka, California.
Thomas then moved to Oregon, where he served as the head football coach at Klamath Falls High School for three years in the early 1980s. He then returned to his alma mater, Oregon State, where he served as assistant director of the Beaver Club until 1989.
Thomas is survived by his wife Joan and children Troy, Robb, Lance and Leslie.
More soon.
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