YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES
vikings/nfl
Continued: June 10, 2007 article: "Thank you, Vikings fans"
- Article by: MARK CRAIG
- Last update: October 28, 2009 - 5:51 PM
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"One of the reasons he always said `Every day is a holiday' is because he grew up in a tough area down in Crowley, Louisiana. He didn't go to LSU or Ole Miss. He went to a small school and had to battle for everything he ever got. I have no doubt he would have been a great coach."
Thomas' internship with the Cardinals lasted through training camp. That fall, he returned to Louisiana and worked as an assistant coach at Comeaux High School. His muscles still twitched. His shoulders grew weaker.
"He had gone to a few doctors," Demetra said. "Finally, in September, they were able to diagnose it."
Not wanting to upset his mother, Thomas didn't tell her until Thanksgiving. Thomas' father died at a young age, and he simply couldn't stand adding to his mother's pain.
Thomas' physical decline was slow at first. He coached the 2004 season at Comeaux and was scheduled to return to the Cardinals' coaching staff in 2005.
"With Orlando, you didn't know how his health was because he never complained and was always so upbeat," Green said. "But about May or June that year, he called and said his strength would not allow him to coach that year. He just couldn't do it."
Thomas' upper body strength was the first to go. His speech was the most recent decline. He still has some movement in his legs, but he is unable to get out of bed and needs someone to clear his throat regularly. Demetra, a nurse, and her sister, Dinelle Boyd, provide around-the-clock care in the family's home in Youngsville, La. The good news is Thomas' weight is up to about 160 or 170 pounds, about 40 more than it was before a feeding tube was inserted.
The `Super Rooks' arrive in `95
On Day 1 of the 1995 NFL draft, the Vikings selected Ohio State offensive tackle Korey Stringer in the first round (24th overall) and Thomas (42nd) and Florida State cornerback Corey Fuller (55th) in the second round.
The three of them became friends immediately. Thomas and Fuller could be heard long before they were seen. Thomas and Stringer were roommates at training camp in Mankato and on road games. Stringer died Aug. 1, 2001, after collapsing because of heatstroke on the field in Mankato the day before.
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| Los Angeles - LP: T. Lilly | 1 | FINAL |
| Philadelphia - WP: C. Lee | 3 |
| Minnesota - WP: S. Baker | 6 | FINAL |
| Cleveland - LP: J. Tomlin | 4 |
| Oakland - LP: G. Gonzalez | 2 | FINAL |
| Baltimore - WP: B. Matusz | 4 |
| Chicago Cubs - LP: M. Garza | 2 | FINAL |
| Cincinnati - WP: M. Leake | 8 |
| Milwaukee - WP: Z. Greinke | 7 | FINAL |
| Florida - LP: J. Vazquez | 2 |
| Detroit - WP: M. Scherzer | 13 | FINAL |
| Texas - LP: C. Lewis | 7 |
| Seattle - LP: M. Pineda | 1 | FINAL |
| Chicago WSox - WP: J. Danks | 3 |
| Toronto - LP: F. Francisco | 2 | FINAL |
| Kansas City - WP: J. Soria | 3 |
| Colorado - WP: C. Mortensen | 3 | FINAL |
| San Diego - LP: C. Richard | 0 |
| Tampa Bay - WP: D. Price | 5 | FINAL |
| LA Angels - LP: T. Chatwood | 1 |
| Washington - LP: C. Stammen | 4 | FINAL |
| San Francisco - WP: J. Lopez | 5 |
| Vancouver | 1 | FINAL |
| Boston | 8 |
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| Date/Opponent | Time | W | L | Score |
| 2011 preseason | ||||
| Aug 11 - at Tennessee | 7:00 PM | |||
| Aug 18 - at Seattle | 7:00 PM | |||
| Aug 27 - vs. Dallas | 7:00 PM | |||
| Sep 1 - vs. Houston | 7:00 PM | |||
| 2011 regular season | ||||
| Sep 11 - at San Diego | 3:15 PM | |||
| Sep 18 - vs. Tampa Bay | 12:00 PM | |||
| Sep 25 - vs. Detroit | 12:00 PM | |||
| Oct 2 - at Kansas City | 12:00 PM | |||
| Oct 9 - vs. Arizona | 12:00 PM | |||
| Oct 16 - at. Chicago | 7:20 PM | |||
| Oct 23 - vs. Green Bay | 3:15 PM | |||
| Oct 30 - at Carolina | 12:00 PM | |||
| Open | ||||
| Nov. 14 - at Green Bay | 7:30 PM | |||
| Nov 20 - vs. Oakland | 12:00 PM | |||
| Nov 27 - at Atlanta | 12:00 PM | |||
| Dec 4 - vs. Denver | 3:05 PM | |||
| Dec 11 - at Detroit | 12:00 PM | |||
| Dec 18 - vs. New Orleans | 12:00 PM | |||
| Dec 24 - at Washington | 12:00 PM | |||
| Jan 1 - vs. Chicago | 12:00 PM |
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