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De'Anthony Thomas
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De'Anthony Thomas
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De'Anthony Marquies Thomas (born January 5, 1993) is an American former professional football wide receiver and return specialist. He played college football for the Oregon Ducks and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

When Thomas was 12 years old, he was a Pop Warner Football star and played for the Crenshaw Bears in Snoop Dogg's Snoop Youth Football League.[1] Snoop Dogg claims to have given Thomas the nickname "Black Mamba",[2] though Sports Illustrated has written that another coach in the league first identified Thomas to Snoop Dogg as the "Black Mamba".[3] Thomas himself prefers the spelling "Black Momba".[2]

Thomas graduated from Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles, California, where he played running back, defensive back, and wide receiver under the leadership of coach Robert Garrett. Thomas rushed for 1,299 yards and 18 touchdowns on offense and collected five interceptions on defense while leading Crenshaw (12–2) to its second straight city championship.[4] Regarded as a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Thomas was listed as the No. 1 athlete prospect in the class of 2011.[5] He played in the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Thomas was also a track sprinter, named a 2013 NCAA Division I All-American as anchor of Oregon's 4 × 100 relay team. He has a personal best of 10.25 seconds in the 100 meters and 20.39 seconds in the 200 meters.[6] In high school, he won the Los Angeles City Section Championship in the 100 m in 2009, and went on to finish 6th in the 100 m and 2nd in the 200 m at the California state meet. In 2010, he won the LACS championship in both the 100 m and 200 m, but at the California state meet failed to move past the preliminary rounds in the 100 m and finished last in the 200 m final.

Recruiting
College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
De'Anthony Thomas
RB 		Los Angeles, CA Crenshaw 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 4.35 Feb 2, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 5/5 stars   Rivals: 5/5 stars   (84)
Overall recruit ranking:   Scout: 1 (ATH)    Rivals: 1 (CB)    ESPN: 1 (ATH)
  • ‡ Refers to 40-yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2011 Oregon Football Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  • "2011 Oregon Football Commits". Scout. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  • "ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  • "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 23, 2013.

College career

[edit]

Thomas was one of the most decorated prep football players to ever come out of Los Angeles and one of the most sought after recruits of the 2011 recruiting class.[7] It came as a shock when Thomas announced his decision to attend the University of Oregon over USC, which was 10 minutes from where he lived.[1] Coming out of high school, he was the #1 rated defensive back in the 2011 recruiting class but his desire to play offense in college grew over his senior season at Crenshaw High School.[8] On January 29, 2011, Thomas secretly visited Oregon on a recruiting trip and decided to play for the Ducks in Chip Kelly's blur offense.[7]

2011

[edit]

Thomas had a standout 2011 season as a true freshman for Oregon. Splitting time between running back and wide receiver, as well as returning kickoffs and punts, Thomas amassed 2,235 all-purpose yards and scored 18 total touchdowns, setting a school record for number of touchdowns by a freshman.[9] Thomas was the only player in the 2011 college football year to amass 400 yards each in rushing, receiving, and returns.[9] He was a co-recipient of the 2011 CFPA Kickoff Returner Trophy and a freshman All-American selection. He led all freshmen with 18 touchdowns.[10]

On January 2, 2012, Thomas recorded two touchdowns and 314 all-purpose yards in the Rose Bowl where Oregon won 45–38 over #10 Wisconsin. In that game, his 91-yard touchdown run broke the previous Rose Bowl record for the longest run from scrimmage.[11] His only other carry in that game resulted in a 64-yard score, giving him 155 rushing yards on just two carries.[12]

The Ducks finished the season 12–2 (8–1 Pac-12) with a #4 final season ranking. He was on many Heisman watch lists ahead of the 2012 season.[13][14][15]

2012

[edit]

In 2012, Thomas continued his role as an all-purpose weapon for the Ducks. He amassed 701 yards rushing, for 11 touchdowns, and another 445 yards receiving, for 5 touchdowns.[16] Thomas continued to return kicks and punts, including a 94-yard opening kickoff return in the 2013 Fiesta Bowl, where Oregon defeated #5 Kansas State 35–17. In total, he recorded 1,757 all-purpose yards and scored 18 touchdowns.[16] Thomas led the Pac-12 conference in rushing yards per attempt with 7.6.[16] The Ducks finished the season 12–1 (8–1 Pac-12) with a #2 ranking, putting them in the top five of the final season rankings for the third straight season.

Thomas was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated on September 24, 2012. The headline inside read: "Can't Touch DAT: He's not a RB, a receiver or even a starter, UO's DAT is simply a touchdown waiting to happen."[17]

2013

[edit]

Entering his junior year, Thomas was a candidate for the Paul Hornung Award, as well as being placed on watchlists for the Doak Walker Award and Heisman Trophy.[18] On September 9, 2013, he was named the Pac-12 offensive player of the week after tying a career-best with three touchdowns (all rushing) at Virginia.[19] For the season he had a combined eight rushing and one receiving touchdown.

On January 5, 2014, Thomas announced he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2014 NFL draft.[20]

Awards and honors

[edit]

2011

  • Pac-12 Co-Offensive Freshman of the Year
  • Team's Most Outstanding Player Award
  • All-Pac-12 First-team (Pac-12 Coaches, Phil Steele)
  • Freshman All-America (Sporting News)
  • All-Freshman First-team (Phil Steele)
  • CFPA Kick Returner Performer of the Week (Washington State, USC)

2012

  • 2nd Team All-America (FOXSportsNEXT.com)
  • Maxwell Award Semifinalist (College Player of the Year)
  • Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention (Pac-12 Coaches)

2013

  • Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week (Pac-12 Coaches) Sep 9

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
5 ft 8+5⁄8 in
(1.74 m) 		174 lb
(79 kg) 		29+7⁄8 in
(0.76 m) 		8+1⁄8 in
(0.21 m)		 4.39 s 1.55 s 2.51 s 4.23 s 6.94 s 32.5 in
(0.83 m)		 10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)		 9 reps 14
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[21][22]

Kansas City Chiefs

[edit]

2014 season

[edit]

Thomas was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.[23] On August 7, 2014, Thomas returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown in the Chiefs' first preseason game. After being drafted, Thomas was expected to play a wide receiver and running back hybrid position in the offense, as well as being the punt returner, similar to the way Dexter McCluster had been used in previous seasons before leaving the team in the offseason.[24] In the 2014 NFL season, Thomas rushed 14 times for 113 yards, and one touchdown, as well as catching 23 passes for 156 yards. In addition to that he returned a punt for 81 yards and a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders on December 14. He ended the season with 405 punt return yards off of 34 attempts. He was also the Chiefs main kick returner, he returned 14 kicks for 428 yards. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[25]

2015 season

[edit]

In the 2015 offseason, Thomas was permanently switched to wide receiver.[26] His amount of touches dropped off but he was still able to score 1 touchdown on 17 catches for 140 yards, and score 1 rushing touchdown in 9 attempts for 34 yards. On December 31, 2015, Thomas was placed on the non-football illness (NFI) list.[27]

2016 season

[edit]

Thomas made his return to the field in the 2016 season.[28] He saw much of his role decrease, especially as a return specialist, with the emergence of rookie speedster Tyreek Hill. Thomas still got to return 15 kicks for 338 yards, but didn't return a single punt. Yet, he was still able to obtain 35 yards off of 7 catches, and 29 yards in 4 rushing attempts. With his role decreased, he emerged in a different position as a gunner on punts and kicks. He compiled 3 tackles (2 solo) for the season.[29]

2017 season

[edit]

At the beginning of the 2017 season, it looked as if Thomas' main role was kick returner. He was shortly removed from that job when he became more involved in the offense with the injury of their No. 1 receiver Chris Conley. In 16 games, Thomas had 143 yards on 14 receptions for 2 touchdowns.[30] Those touchdowns came in back to back weeks, including a catch and run for 57 yards and a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 15.[31] He also continued to be a gunner on special teams, racking up 2 combined tackles (1 solo).[32] He was placed on injured reserve on January 2, 2018, with a leg injury.[33]

2018 season

[edit]

On March 14, 2018, Thomas re-signed with the Chiefs.[34] Thomas only played in 5 games during the 2018 season due to injury. On September 9, 2018, he caught a one-yard touchdown pass in a 38–28 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.[35] The following week, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thomas returned a punt 48 yards in the 42–37 win.[36] He continued as a gunner on special teams making 4 combined tackles (4 solo).[32] He was placed on injured reserve on October 13, 2018, after suffering a fractured leg in practice.[37]

2019 season

[edit]

On August 20, 2019, Thomas re-signed with the Chiefs.[38] He was suspended for the first game of the season for violating the NFL's policy on substance abuse, and placed on reserve/suspended on August 31.[39] He was reinstated from suspension and the Chiefs were given a roster exemption after the regular season opener on September 9. On September 10, he was activated.[40] In only 6 games with the Chiefs, Thomas had a very slim role in the offense with 1 rushing attempt for 4 yards, and 1 reception for 6 yards. Despite the slim offensive role, Thomas continued as a return specialist with 7 kick returns for 155 yards, and 13 punt returns for 55 yards.[41] On October 22, 2019, he was released by the Chiefs.[42]

Baltimore Ravens

[edit]

On November 5, 2019, Thomas was signed by the Baltimore Ravens.[43] Thomas became the Ravens primary return man for the rest of the season. In 8 regular season games with the Ravens he returned 10 kickoffs for 166 yards, and 13 punts for 93 yards. For the offense, Thomas only received 1 rushing attempt for 1 yard. Thomas also played in the Ravens Divisional Round Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans where he added 3 kick returns for 71 yards in the loss.[44]

On March 16, 2020, Thomas re-signed with the Ravens.[45] He chose to opt-out of the 2020 NFL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic on July 27, 2020.[46] He was waived after the season on January 18, 2021.[47]

BC Lions

[edit]

On February 1, 2022, Thomas signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League for the 2022 season.[48]

In May 2022, Thomas failed to show up to rookie training camp in Kamloops, BC.[49]

He was officially released on February 13, 2024.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

De'Anthony Thomas

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
De'Anthony Thomas (born January 5, 1993) is a former wide receiver and return specialist who played professionally in the (NFL) for six seasons, primarily as a special teams contributor known for his exceptional speed and versatility. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing 176 pounds, Thomas earned national acclaim during his college career at the , where he set a Ducks freshman record with 18 touchdowns in 2011 and was named a Freshman All-American by multiple outlets, including the . A highly recruited athlete from in , , where he won multiple City Section track titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, Thomas chose over hometown USC and quickly became a key part of the Ducks' high-powered offense under coach . Thomas's collegiate production included 5,345 all-purpose yards over three seasons (2011–2013), with 1,890 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns, ranking him 10th in history for career rushing scores, alongside 100 receptions for 1,296 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns, plus significant contributions on returns. He earned All-Pac-12 First-Team honors as a freshman in 2011 and was a semifinalist for the Hornung Award recognizing the nation's most versatile player in 2012 and 2013. Declaring for the NFL Draft after his junior year, Thomas was selected by the in the fourth round (124th overall) of the , where his 4.50-second time at the NFL Combine highlighted his elite athleticism. In the NFL, Thomas appeared in 69 games across six seasons, mostly with the Chiefs from 2014 to 2019, where he recorded 65 receptions for 509 yards and four touchdowns, 31 rushes for 191 yards and two scores, and 2,493 return yards on punts and kicks. He played a reserve role in the Chiefs' victory over the following the 2019 season, contributing on special teams during their playoff run. Thomas briefly joined the in 2019 before opting out of the 2020 season due to the ; he later signed a short-term contract with the of the Canadian Football League in 2022 but did not appear in games and has not played professionally since. As of 2025, Thomas remains unaffiliated with any professional team and is remembered as one of Oregon's most dynamic players of the modern era.

Early life

Childhood and family background

De'Anthony Thomas was born on January 5, 1993, in , . He grew up in South Central Los Angeles in a led by his parents, Howard and Gaylian Barnes, alongside four younger brothers. The family faced challenges typical of the area, and Thomas occasionally lived with his maternal grandfather, Rayfield Dupree, in , to provide additional stability. Thomas's introduction to organized sports came early through Pop Warner football, where he joined the Crenshaw Bears team in a league founded by rapper Snoop Dogg around age 12. On the field, he quickly stood out for his speed and agility, earning the nickname "Black Mamba" from Snoop Dogg due to his elusive, snake-like running style that made him difficult for defenders to tackle. His early experiences highlighted a natural versatility, as he played multiple positions including and , honing the multi-faceted skills that would define his athletic career. These formative years in youth football not only built his passion for the sport but also instilled a strong sense of discipline and community ties in the Crenshaw neighborhood.

High school career

De'Anthony Thomas attended Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles, California, where he graduated as part of the class of 2011. During his time there, he earned the nickname "Black Mamba" from his Pop Warner football days, reflecting his explosive speed and agility. In football, Thomas showcased remarkable versatility, contributing as a running back, wide receiver, and return specialist. As a senior in 2010, he rushed for 1,299 yards on 114 carries, averaging 11.4 yards per attempt, and scored 18 touchdowns. He also recorded 16 receptions for 359 yards and four touchdowns, while returning kickoffs for 545 yards and two additional scores. His performance helped lead Crenshaw to 12 consecutive victories to close the season, culminating in the CIF Los Angeles City Section championship. Thomas also excelled in track and field, winning the 100-meter dash at the Los Angeles City Section Championships as a sophomore in 2009 and junior in 2010, establishing himself as a two-time champion in that event. He claimed the 200-meter title in 2010 as a junior, completing a sweep by also winning the 100-meter dash that year, where his 100-meter time ranked as the fastest nationally. Regarded as one of the top prospects in , Thomas was rated a five-star recruit and the No. 1 athlete in the class of 2011 by . He received scholarship offers from multiple programs, including an initial commitment to USC before flipping to the on in February 2011.

College career

2011 season

As a true freshman in 2011, De'Anthony Thomas made an immediate impact for the , earning significant playing time without redshirting and contributing across multiple facets of the team's offense and special teams. Under head coach , Thomas thrived in Oregon's fast-paced , which emphasized no-huddle , zone reads, and misdirection plays to exploit his elite speed—clocked at 4.4 seconds in the —allowing him to serve as a versatile player on jet sweeps, end-arounds, and screens while also handling return duties. This role built on his high school versatility as a multi-position athlete at in . Thomas's statistical output underscored his explosiveness, accumulating 2,235 all-purpose yards over 14 games, including 595 rushing yards on 55 carries (10.8 yards per carry) with 7 rushing touchdowns, 605 receiving yards on 46 catches with 9 receiving touchdowns, and 1,035 return yards (983 on 36 kickoffs with 2 touchdowns, 52 on 3 punts) for a total of 18 touchdowns. These figures highlighted his efficiency as a , averaging over 13 yards per touch, and helped power to a 12-2 record, a Pac-12 championship, and a Rose Bowl appearance. Key highlights included his college debut on September 3 against LSU, where he rushed four times for 22 yards and a while catching six passes for 47 yards in a 40-27 loss. In a crucial Pac-12 matchup against Stanford on November 12, Thomas caught two passes for 41 yards and a , contributing to a 53-30 victory that kept in the conference title race. His most electrifying performance came on November 19 versus USC, where despite a 38-35 defeat, he hauled in three receptions for 49 yards and a , plus a 96-yard kickoff return for a score that ignited a late comeback attempt. Thomas capped the season in the Rose Bowl against on January 2, 2012, exploding for 155 rushing yards and two s on just two carries—including a 64-yard score—along with 34 receiving yards and 125 kickoff return yards in a 45-38 loss. These moments exemplified his ability to change games with burst and elusiveness in Kelly's system.

2012 season

In 2012, De'Anthony Thomas appeared in all 13 games for the as a , establishing himself as a dynamic all-purpose contributor with 1,757 total yards and 18 s. His rushing output included 92 carries for 701 yards and 11 s, averaging 7.6 yards per attempt, while he added 45 receptions for 445 yards and 5 scores as a receiving threat out of the backfield. On special teams, Thomas excelled as a , recording 16 kick returns for 389 yards, including one , and 13 punt returns for 222 yards with another score, leading the Pac-12 in punt return yards. Building on his freshman season's explosive all-purpose production, Thomas's role under head coach evolved to emphasize big-play opportunities amid team dynamics that featured as the primary rusher. This versatility helped power to a 12-1 record and a victory, with Thomas's speed and elusiveness creating mismatches in both offensive and return roles. Key performances highlighted his impact, including a 16-yard touchdown reception in a high-scoring 62-51 win over rival USC on November 3, where he also contributed three kick returns for 68 yards. In the against Kansas State on January 3, 2013, Thomas set the tone by returning the opening kickoff 94 yards for a , adding a 23-yard receiving score, four catches for 60 yards, two carries for 15 yards, and another kick return for 26 yards in Oregon's 35-17 triumph.

2013 season

In his junior season at in 2013, De'Anthony Thomas faced challenges from an ankle injury that limited his participation and shifted his role within a deep backfield featuring backs like Byron Marshall and Thomas Tyner. He appeared in 10 of 13 games, missing the next three due to the injury sustained on the opening kickoff against on September 28. Thomas's statistical output reflected his reduced rushing volume, with 96 carries for 594 yards (6.2 yards per carry) and 8 , alongside 22 receptions for 246 yards and 1 . His return game remained a strength, highlighted by 21 kick returns for 513 yards (24.4 yards per return) and 1 , contributing to a total of 1,353 and 10 scores overall. Key contributions included a standout performance against on September 7, where he rushed for 124 yards and 3 on 11 carries, showcasing his explosive speed early in the season. Later, on November 16 against , Thomas ignited a momentum shift with an 86-yard kickoff return for a that extended Oregon's lead. In the victory over on December 30 (30-7), he added 13 rushing yards on 3 carries and 24 receiving yards on 2 catches, plus a 25-yard kick return, rounding out his college career on a winning note. Following the season, Thomas announced on , 2014, that he would forgo his senior year and declare for the , drawing pre-draft attention for his elite speed—clocked under 4.40 seconds in the —and versatility across , receiver, and return roles, often compared to players like .

Awards and honors

During his time at the , De'Anthony Thomas earned numerous accolades that highlighted his versatility as a , receiver, , and track athlete, contributing significantly to the Ducks' dynamic offensive and special teams units. These honors reflected his explosive speed and all-purpose production, which helped elevate Oregon's standing in the . In 2011, as a true , Thomas was named Pac-12 Co-Offensive of the Year, sharing the award with USC's for his breakout performance that included leading all freshmen nationally with 18 touchdowns. He also received First-Team All-Pac-12 honors as a kick returner and was selected as a Freshman All-American by the (FWAA), recognizing his all-purpose contributions. Additionally, Thomas shared the Oregon team's Most Outstanding Player Award with David Paulson and co-won the CFPA Kickoff Returner Trophy for the nation's top performer in that role. Thomas's honors continued in , when he earned Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention from the coaches, was named a semifinalist for College Player of the Year, and was a semifinalist for the , acknowledging his continued impact despite a shift in offensive scheme. In 2013, Thomas was selected to the First-Team All-Pac-12 as an all-purpose back by Athlon Sports, named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week following a standout performance against Virginia, and was a semifinalist for the Paul Hornung Award. On the track, he contributed to Oregon's 4x100-meter relay team that finished as Pac-12 runner-up in 2011-12 and earned Second-Team All-American honors in 2013 for placing 16th at the NCAA Championships. These track achievements further demonstrated his elite athleticism, making him one of only two Ducks to earn All-America status in both football and track.

Professional career

Kansas City Chiefs

Thomas was selected by the in the fourth round, 124th overall, of the . On May 16, 2014, he signed a four-year contract worth approximately $2.5 million, including a signing bonus of about $115,000. As a in 2014, Thomas primarily contributed on special teams, serving as the team's primary punt returner with 34 returns for 405 yards (averaging 11.9 yards per return) and as a kick returner with 14 returns for 428 yards (30.6 yards per return). Offensively, he appeared in 12 games, recording 14 rushes for 113 yards and one touchdown, along with 23 receptions for 156 yards. His performance earned him a spot on the (PFWA) All-Rookie Team as a punt returner. In the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Thomas's role expanded on special teams, where he handled increased return duties, including 29 punt returns for 226 yards (7.8 yards per return) in 2015 and 15 kick returns for 338 yards (22.5 yards per return) in 2016. He saw limited offensive snaps during these years, with just four rushes for 35 yards combined and 10 receptions for 68 yards. In the playoffs, Thomas contributed modestly on returns, including during the Chiefs' 2015 postseason run to the AFC Divisional Round and their 2016 appearance. From 2017 to 2019, Thomas continued as a versatile special teams asset and occasional gadget offensive player. In March 2018, he re-signed with the Chiefs on a one-year deal, reportedly turning down a $1.5 million offer from another team out of loyalty to the organization. His most productive receiving season came in 2017, with 14 catches for 143 yards, including a career-high 61 yards in a single game against the . He re-signed again in August 2019 but was released on October 22, 2019, to make room for another player. Over his tenure with the Chiefs, Thomas amassed 31 rushes for 191 yards and two touchdowns, 65 receptions for 509 yards, 85 punt returns for 751 yards, and 58 kick returns for 1,422 yards. Throughout his tenure under head coach , Thomas exemplified versatility as a and gadget player, contributing on punt and returns, as a slot receiver, and in various special teams roles to support the Chiefs' high-powered offense.

Baltimore Ravens

Thomas joined the as a on November 5, 2019, after being released by the earlier that season. His prior experience with the Chiefs on special teams provided a foundation for his role in Baltimore as a . In the 2019 season, Thomas appeared in eight regular-season games for the Ravens, primarily handling return duties with 13 punt returns for 93 yards (7.2 average) and 10 kickoff returns for 166 yards (16.6 average). He also had one rushing attempt for 1 yard. In the playoffs, Thomas contributed three kickoff returns for 71 yards during the Ravens' divisional round loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Ravens re-signed Thomas to a one-year, $935,000 contract on March 14, 2020. However, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he voluntarily opted out of the 2020 season on July 27, 2020, citing health concerns; he was placed on the reserve/opt-out list and received a $150,000 stipend as part of the NFL's opt-out agreement. Thomas did not play in 2020 and was released by the Ravens on January 18, 2021. Over his brief tenure with Baltimore, he totaled 0 receptions, 1 rushing yard, and 259 return yards across eight regular-season games and one playoff appearance.

BC Lions

On February 1, 2022, De'Anthony Thomas signed with the of the Canadian Football League, aiming to revive his professional career as a and kick returner after six seasons in the NFL. The 29-year-old brought speed and versatility to the team, having previously appeared in 69 NFL games with 65 receptions for 509 yards and four receiving touchdowns (plus two rushing), primarily on special teams. This move represented a transition to the CFL, where Thomas hoped to secure a more prominent role following limited opportunities in the , including his from the 2020 season amid the . In March 2022, Thomas participated in the University of Oregon's pro day in an attempt to attract interest while under contract with the Lions. Thomas failed to report to the Lions' rookie training camp in May 2022, held in , , and reports indicated he was no longer expected to join the team. Despite the initial signing, he did not participate in any practices, preseason games, or regular-season contests during the 2022 campaign, resulting in no recorded statistics or on-field contributions. Through the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Thomas remained inactive on the Lions' roster or negotiation list, with no further public updates on his involvement or attempts to report. The Lions released Thomas prior to the 2024 season, concluding his brief and unfulfilled tenure in the CFL without any gameplay appearances. This effectively marked the end of his professional playing career, as no subsequent contracts or team affiliations have been reported as of November 2025.

References

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  2. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/deanthony-thomas-makes-the-most-of-his-touches
  3. https://goducks.com/sports/football/roster/deanthony-thomas/4088
  4. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2362872/2021/02/03/deanthony-thomas-oregon-recruiting/
  5. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/deanthony-thomas-1.html
  6. https://duckswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/ducks/football/2025/07/25/oregon-footballs-top-25-players-since-2000-no-7-deanthony-thomas/85375495007/
  7. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/16945/deanthony-thomas
  8. https://www.rotowire.com/football/player/deanthony-thomas-9274
  9. https://3downnation.com/2022/05/12/former-chiefs-speedster-deanthony-thomas-no-show-at-b-c-lions-rookie-camp-not-expected-to-join-team-report/
  10. https://autzenzoo.com/the-cfl-is-back-former-oregon-ducks-in-the-cfl-01jxb0x2864k
  11. https://www.ourweekly.com/2014/04/24/nfl-prospect-deanthony-thomas-paves-way-his-siblin/
  12. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/from-south-central-to-the-nfl-deanthony-thomas-always-had-a-master-plan
  13. https://www.chiefs.com/news/staying-connected-to-his-roots-is-important-to-de-anthony-thomas-16095204
  14. https://vault.si.com/vault/2012/09/24/cant-touch-dat
  15. https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/97129/deanthony-thomas
  16. https://goducks.com/sports/track-and-field/roster/de-anthony-thomas/4765
  17. https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/varsity-times-insider/story/2010-05-27/track-deanthony-thomas-gets-fastest-time-in-nation
  18. https://www.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2011/02/oregon_recruiting_the_ducks_ge.html
  19. https://www.espn.com/blog/colleges/oregon/insider/post/_/id/596
  20. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8851103/chip-kelly-transformed-college-football-oregon-ducks-coach-college-football
  21. https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2011/12/30/2669440/b5q-film-session-breaking-down-oregons-zone-read-offense
  22. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/oregon/2011.html
  23. https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2011/09/look_for_explosive_oregon_fres.html
  24. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/deanthony-thomas-1/gamelog/2011/
  25. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/948448-usc-vs-oregon-video-watch-deanthony-thomas-stun-trojans-with-electric-return
  26. https://www.si.com/more-sports/2011/11/18/oregon-deanthony-thomas
  27. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/deanthony-Thomas-1.html
  28. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/pac-12/2012-leaders.html
  29. https://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008-2018-nfp-archive/college-football-report/the-expanding-role-of-oregons-thomas/
  30. https://goducks.com/news/2013/1/4/205874364
  31. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2012-11-03-southern-california.html
  32. https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/330032306/oregon-kansas-st
  33. https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/10/26/5033166/deanthony-thomas-injury-oregon-ucla
  34. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/pac12/2013/09/29/deanthony-thomas-oregon-ducks-ankle-injury-colorado-buffaloes/2893497/
  35. https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2013/11/no_6_oregon_44_utah_21_game_at.html
  36. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/deanthony-thomas-1/gamelog/2013/
  37. https://www.nfl.com/news/oregon-s-de-anthony-thomas-declares-for-nfl-draft-0ap2000000309748
  38. https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/oregon-speedster-anthony-thomas-enter-2014-nfl-draft-020553393--ncaaf.html
  39. https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2014/03/deanthony_thomas_speed_resurfa.html
  40. https://www.espn.com/espn/mobile/news/story?id=8314656
  41. https://kval.com/sports/content/deanthony-thomas-leads-five-ducks-on-all-pac-12-first-team
  42. https://footballfoundation.org/news/2012/1/9/_51339.aspx
  43. https://247sports.com/player/deanthony-thomas-225/college-35732/
  44. http://collegefootballperformance.com/special-teams-awards/kick-off-returner-2/
  45. https://247sports.com/longformarticle/oregon-football-heisman-trophy-ducks-football-awards--246172805/B
  46. https://athlonsports.com/college-football/pac-12-football-2013-all-conference-team
  47. https://www.oregonlive.com/pac-12/2013/09/ducks_deanthony_thomas_named_pac-12_offensive_play.html
  48. https://goducks.com/sports/2013/6/11/208301561
  49. https://247sports.com/article/deanthony-thomas-signs-a-four-year-contract-with-the-chiefs-28680710/
  50. https://www.chiefs.com/news/2014-pfwa-all-rookie-team-includes-chiefs-de-anthony-thomas-14775860
  51. https://www.chiefs.com/team/stats/2015/reg
  52. https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/leaders/yearly-kickreturns-returns
  53. https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/chiefs/2018/03/14/chiefs-re-sign-wr-deanthony-thomas/80219494007/
  54. https://www.footballdb.com/players/deanthony-thomas-thomade06
  55. https://www.profootballrumors.com/2019/10/chiefs-release-deanthony-thomas-promote-qb-kyle-shurmur
  56. https://www.chiefs.com/news/de-anthony-thomas-continues-to-make-an-impact-all-over-the-field-19259967
  57. https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/transactions/_/name/bal/season/2019
  58. https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2019/11/5/20950457/deanthony-thomas-signed-by-ravens-shurmur-back-on-practice-squad
  59. https://www.baltimoreravens.com/team/stats/2019/reg
  60. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/16945/deanthony-thomas
  61. https://www.nfl.com/players/de-anthony-thomas/
  62. https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-re-sign-de-anthony-thomas
  63. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29549135/ravens-kick-returner-deanthony-thomas-opts-nfl-season
  64. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/1880868/deanthony-thomas/
  65. https://www.bclions.com/2022/02/01/lions-add-former-oregon-chiefs-wr-deanthony-thomas/
  66. https://247sports.com/article/ex-oregon-football-star-deanthony-thomas-seeks-nfl-return-will-participate-in-ducks-pro-day-185296657/
  67. https://www.si.com/college/oregon/pro-ducks/former-oregon-duck-deanthony-thomas-misses-bc-lions-rookie-camp
  68. https://www.cfl.ca/players/de-anthony-thomas/165332/
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