Thurman Thomas - Buffalo Bills' all-time starting running back
For the most part, any Buffalo Bills fan you talk to you will give you one of two names as the greatest running back in Buffalo history. One of those names would undoubtedly be Thurman Thomas and the fact he was voted as the number one back is proof of that.
Thomas was drafted by the Buffalo Bills of the 1988 NFL Draft in the second round, 40th overall. It's also no coincidence that Thomas' arrival was the beginning of the Bills' rise in the AFC. Yes, you can say Jim Kelly's arrival in 1986 was the beginning but it wasn't until that 1988 season, the Bills finished with their first winning record since 1981 and advanced to the AFC Championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Thomas finished his career with the Bills after the 1999 season, after compiling a total of 11,938 rushing yards, 4,341 receiving yards, and a combined 87 touchdowns. His career rushing numbers place him 16th on the NFL's all-time rushing list and his receiving yards put him 15th among running backs in NFL history.
Thomas led the league in total yards from scrimmage for four consecutive seasons, from 1989 to 1992, and is the only player to accomplish this feat. He was a five-time All-Pro, making the first-team roster twice and three times on the second-team roster. He was voted to five straight Pro Bowls and was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1991.