Post by TheShadow on Feb 3, 2006 21:48:33 GMT -5
www.raiders.com
Art Thoms played for the Raiders for eight seasons, 1969-1976. He was known
as a “great guy on a great team.” He was part of a Super Bowl title team,
though he didn’t play because he was injured. But he does have a claim to
fame: he was fortunate enough to line up with a few celebrities. Otis
Sistrunk (1972-79) was the man from the University of Mars, Jim Otto
(1960-74) was “00,” and Willie Brown (1967-78) is considered one of the best
cornerbacks to have played the game. Not bad for a guy in the trenches.
We had a chance to catch up with “King” for our Whatever Happened to...
series.
Raiders.com: We have to know about this nickname - King?
Art Thoms: It started as “King Arthur.” That whole Camelot thing, you know.
But it got shortened to “King.” I still see some guys who call me “King” and
it brings back a lot of good memories.
Raiders.com: When did you start playing football?
Art Thoms: I started playing football in high school. It was the freshman
team at Wayne High School in Wayne, N.J. I played two years there and then
my family moved to Brickjohn, NJ. I played the last two years of high school
ball there. I couldn’t play Pop Warner when I was growing up because I was
too heavy. Go figure. They have a weight limit. I starved myself for two
weeks and still couldn’t get under the max.
Raiders.com: How did you become a Raider?
Art Thoms: I was a first round pick by the Raiders in the 1969 draft out of
Syracuse University.
Raiders.com: What did it mean for you to wear the Silver and Black?
Art Thoms: It was great. I was born and raised on the East Coast. I made a
couple of trips out to the West Coast, to play Cal and UCLA, and I liked
what I saw. When I decided to continue my career in the NFL, I wanted to
play for a winning team in California. I got my wish.
Raiders.com: What is your greatest memory from playing with the Raiders?
Art Thoms: I don’t know about a greatest memory. I had a great time here. If
I had to pick one memory though it would have to be our Monday night game at
Buffalo (09/16/1974). With two minutes left, the Bills were trying to run
the clock out because they were up 14-13. Jim Braxton went right and fumbled
the ball. I picked it up and rumbled into the end zone for a 29-yard TD
fumble recovery. We went up 20-14. But the Bills came back and won the game
on a 13-yard TD pass to Ahmad Rashad.
Winning Super Bowl XI was great but bittersweet for me. I had played for the
team for seven years and we made it to the Super Bowl but I was injured. I
was on Injured Reserve for the big game. We won and I got a ring, but man I
wanted to play.
Raiders.com: Is there any one moment or play that stands out from your
career?
Art Thoms: Back in ’72 I earned NFL Defensive Player of the Week honors for
my performance in our game against the Houston Oilers (10/9/1972). The game
was at Houston. We went into the Astrodome and killed them. We won 34-0.
Their QB Dan Pastorini (1980) was 3 of 21 for 31 yards with four
interceptions. I had one of those picks. Otis Sistrunk had a pick off of a
ball I deflected. They put the backup QB in and we picked him off too. The
best part though is that I still see Pastorini from time to time. “There
goes that damn Art Thoms again,” is all he ever says!
Raiders.com: Which team did you enjoy playing against the most?
Art Thoms: I enjoyed playing the Cowboys. It sounds weird but I liked having
to match wits with Coach (Tom) Landry. He had such creative offenses. It was
a challenge to read and react to his schemes. (Thoms was 1-0 against the
Cowboys in the regular season, beating them at home, 23-27 (12/14/1974)).
Raiders.com: Do you keep in contact with any of your former teammates?
Art Thoms: Of course. I see a lot of guys at golf tournaments and celebrity
autograph sessions. I talk to Marv Hubbard (1969-75) and Ted Kwalick
(1975-77) at these things all the time. I’m supposed to play in Kenny
Stabler’s (1970-79) golf tournament in Mobile, Ala. And of course, George
Buehler (1969-78) married my wife’s sister. I get to see quite a bit of him
because we’re family now.
Raiders.com: Do you still attend any Raider games?
Art Thoms: Heck yeah! I have three season tickets. Had them since the team
came back to the Bay in 1995. Section 118, behind the Raider bench. I’ll go
with my sons or my daughter depending on who wants to go.
Raiders.com: What are you doing now?
Art Thoms: Well, before I stopped playing football I invested in coin
operated laundromats. I wanted no part of a restaurant or bar because I knew
that would be too much work. Laundromats are less work and the income is
steady. I also own a sports memorabilia store in Pleasant Hill. It’s funny,
but I work harder now than I ever did. My wife and I have four kids (three
sons and a daughter) that we’ve put through school. As a matter of fact, my
daughter just graduated from college a few weeks ago. My wife and I are
starting to plan our retirement. We always joke that we’ll buy a condo in
Hawaii. I’d like to get one of those ice cream pushcart things. I can show
off my Super Bowl ring and sell ice cream! Ice cream sales and golf. Lots of
golf.
Raiders.com: Are there any messages you would like to pass along to the
Raider fans?
Art Thoms: Look forward to an exciting season. The offense is gonna score
big and the defense is going to hold the lead. Mr. Davis wants to win and he’s
put together a team that can do that. It’s going to be fun.