|
Aaron Thomas had
an all-star career
at Oregon State and
in the NFL before
becoming an ardent
Beavers’ booster.
Born in 1937, Thomas
played receiver at
OSU from 1958-60. He
played in the
East-West Shrine
Game following his
junior season, and
the College All-Star
Game, Coaches
All-America Bowl,
and the Senior Bowl
following the '60
season. Thomas
was selected by the
San Francisco 49ers
in the NFL Draft and
Dallas Texans in the
AFL Draft, and chose
to sign with San
Francisco. He played
receiver with
San Francisco,
and tight end with
the New York Giants
after being traded
during the '62
season, which ended
with the Giants
losing to
Green Bay
in the NFL
Championship game.
In 10 years,
Sears caught 262
passes for 4,554
yards and 37
touchdowns. He was
named to the Pro
Bowl in 1964,
despite the Giants
finishing 2-10. In
his career, he
missed just seven
games. Upon
returning to Oregon,
Thomas served as the
assistant director
of the Beaver Club
from 1983-89. He was
inducted into the
State of Oregon Hall
of Fame in 1982, and
the Oregon
State Athletics Hall
of Fame in 1990.
|