On Sunday night, former Minnesota Vikings safety Orlando Thomas died of complications from ALS. He was 42 years old. He led the National Football League (NFL) in nine interceptions during his rookie season in 1995. Thomas' agent, Mark Bartelstein confirmed the news of his death.
Orlando Thomas was an American football defensive back who played in the NFL from 1995 until 2001. During his entire career as a professional football player, he played with the Minnesota Vikings. In June 2007, Thomas revealed that he was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
On Oct. 29, 2009, it was reported on the Minnesota Vikings' Web site that Orlando Thomas had died, however, the organization withdrew the report and issued an apology to Thomas and his family after it was proven to be false. On Nov. 9, 2014, Orlando Thomas died of complications from ALS.
"Nobody's ever fought a battle like Orlando fought, with so much dignity -- I never saw anything like it," Thomas' agent, Bartelstein said Monday morning. "I wish everybody could really understand the fight that this guy put up in this horrific, horrific disease. A lot of times when things happen they get over exaggerated or overdramatized. In this case, there's no way to do justice to just the class and dignity and character that he fought this disease with."
"It's just incredible. He never had a sense of self-pity, never felt sorry for himself, he was always worried about everyone else. He was just the most incredible person I've ever been around," Thomas' agent continued. "He never wanted the attention to be on his plight. The courage and class and how much he cares about other people, it was mindboggling to me to watch how he handled everything."
When Orlando Thomas played for the Vikings from 1995 through 2001, he weighed 225 pounds. But ESPN reported when the former athlete died, Bartelstein said he was down almost 70 pounds.
Before Orlando Thomas died, he had spent all seven of his NFL seasons with the Vikings before retiring after the 2001 campaign at the age of 29. According to USA Today, he was a key starter on the Minnesota teams of the late '90s, including the 1998 group that went 15-1 in the regular season before losing to Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game.
"The Vikings are deeply saddened by the loss of Orlando Thomas," the team said in a statement Monday. "Orlando was an outstanding player for the Vikings for seven years, but more importantly, he represented the franchise and the state of Minnesota with the utmost dignity and class."
"While his outgoing personality made him a favorite among his teammates, Orlando's involvement in the community made him a favorite outside of Winter Park," the team added. "Since 2007, Orlando fought this disease with tenacity and optimism. Throughout his difficult battle, he refused to allow ALS to define him, instead putting others' needs in front of his and focusing on making those around him smile. Orlando will always remain a member of the Minnesota Vikings family."
On Monday morning, a number of Orlando Thomas' former teammates expressed their sadness and offered remembrances on his death on social media site, Twitter.
"I am devastated and saddened about the passing of one of my best friends, @OrlandoThomas42 He's in a better place now #RIPOT Love you, man!" Jake Reed tweeted. While Randy Moss posted, "#42 Orlando Thomas R I P Viking4life"
ESPN's Robert Smith also tweeted about Orlando Thomas' death.
"Sad to hear about the passing of my friend and former teammate Orlando Thomas. My thoughts are with his family, they've been through so much," Smith wrote on Twitter.
Orlando Thomas' death is just the latest in the long line of ALS-related ailments among former NFL players. The list of the former NFL athletes afflicted with ALS include ex-New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason, ex-Baltimore Ravens linebacker and current front office executive O.J. Brigance, ex-Oakland Raiders fullback Steve Smith and retired journeyman Tim Shaw.
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