Orlando Thomas ‘honorary game captain’ at UL Heymann Classic

[NewsCopy]

Orlando Thomas will be the “Honorary Game Captain” when Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns take on North Carolina A&T during the 6th annual Herbert Heymann Classic on Saturday. The game is the first home game of the football season and kickoff is set for 4 p.m. Thomas played as safety for the Ragin' Cajuns from 1991 to 1994. He was an All-American performer who led the nation in INTs during his junior season in 1993. He was selected as a second team All-American by UPI and a third team selection by the Associated Press. He finished second on the Ragin' Cajuns all-time career tackle list with 347 stops and ranks first among all Ragin' Cajuns defensive backs. His 18-career interceptions rank third in school history. Thomas was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft. He spent seven seasons with the Vikings before retiring following the 2001 season. The rest of the story

[DaddyCajun]

I had understood Thomas to be very ill and had to step down from his coaching. I hope he is better as he is a very young man and has a world of knowledge to give back to these young men!!

Best wishes Orlando,
DaddyCajun

[Clutch0364]

I had understood Thomas to be very ill and had to step down from his coaching. I hope he is better as he is a very young man and has a world of knowledge to give back to these young men!!

Best wishes Orlando,
DaddyCajun

The last thing I had heard about him is he wasn't doing it but like you I hope he is a doing much better. From talking to people I still keep in contact with at Comeaux (thats where he was coaching) they all liked him and it came as a huge surprise when he became ill.

[NewsCopy]

Human nature being what it is, we tend to remember people by last contact. The most recent vision is the most vivid. That shouldn't be the case with Orlando Thomas. We need to remember when he had the prototype NFL safety's body, lean and strong and hurtling at opposing ball carriers with unabated enthusiasm. We need our vision to be a streak of red or purple, whether for the University of Louisiana or the Minnesota Vikings. We need to remember the Orlando Thomas that came back home after his NFL career, the one that went back to school and earned his degree, and lent his considerable football expertise to the kids at Comeaux High for a too-short period. We do not need the vision - but we cannot forget - of how so strong a body can be ravaged by the most hellish of diseases imaginable, one that destroys all muscle control while leaving the mind intact and fully aware of the devastation that is attacking from within. At halftime of today's UL-North Carolina A&T game, Thomas will be honored for his efforts and accomplishments during his career, and he'll be the honorary game captain for today's coin toss that will be handled by wife Demetra and his three children. He won't be there in person, a nearly two-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) having now reached a stage where he needs help breathing and sitting up in bed. But for the rest of us, that may be a blessing. The rest of the story Dan McDonald's Second Wind

[gridiron]

Dennis Green appeared at half time on the Jumbo tron, wishing his former player well and giving him a tribute. It was touching.

[Turbine]

We MUST fast track Orlando Thomas into the UL Hall of Fame

[RaginFan2]

We MUST fast track Orlando Thomas into the UL Hall of Fame

Amen to that. He is very deserving.

[DaddyCajun]

Amen to that. He is very deserving.

Amen, amen. While Orlando can understand it and appreciate it lets get it done. I will put in a call to see what in these circumstances can be done!

DaddyCajun

[ShowDog]

Amen, amen. While Orlando can understand it and appreciate it lets get it done. I will put in a call to see what in these circumstances can be done!

DaddyCajun

Yes yes. Still remember his safety blitzes. They knew it was coming but could do nothing about it. Great athlete. Needs all of our prayers now.

[TGK4LSU]

I had understood Thomas to be very ill and had to step down from his coaching. I hope he is better as he is a very young man and has a world of knowledge to give back to these young men!!

Best wishes Orlando,
DaddyCajun

I may be wrong, but I hear he has Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He was diagnosed with it a couple years ago.

[UL Ragin Cajun]

I may be wrong, but I hear he has Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He was diagnosed with it a couple years ago.

Lou Garricks disease

[TGK4LSU]

Lou Garricks disease

If that is true, I stand corrected. I heard about it some time ago and remember it was something neurological.