OSU Football Begins New Tradition By Honoring Cowboy Great

A new tradition begins Saturday in Stillwater when OSU takes on West Virginia, and the first inductee into the school's Ring of Honor is certainly worthy.

Thurman Thomas was a three-time All-American and is the all-time leading rusher in OSU football history, rushing for more than 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in his four-year career for the Pokes.

Thomas will become the University’s first Ring of Honor recipient Saturday in Stillwater. He hopes to build a strong collaboration with former alums through the honor.

"I want to make that gap come together,” Thomas said. “So, I'm the first one going up and whoever is going to be second, I'm going to be there for them I'm going to congratulate them and I’m going to keep doing that every year."

Thomas elevated the program during his time in Stillwater. Prior to his arrival, the Pokes had never had a 10-win season. In his four years as a Cowboy, they had three.

"Being a part of that and putting guys into the pros more often with our program, with our program getting stronger, and for me to be a part of that in 1984 when we started that means a lot,” Thomas said.

Saturday, the Cowboys will wear white uniforms against West Virginia, replicas of the uniforms the team wore in the 1987 victory against West Virginia in the Sun Bowl, Thomas’ last game.

"Wow, they are going to be wearing the exact same jersey that I played my last football game in,” Thomas said. “It’s going to be special to see it and my family are really looking forward to it."