Notable Seminole Birthday: FSU Football Trailblazer J.T. Thomas Turns 75

Born April 22, 1951, former Florida State defensive back James “J.T.” Thomas was a trail blazer and an instant star for the program. He celebrates his 75th birthday today!

A defensive back from Macon, Ga., J.T. Thomas spent three seasons with the Florida State football program from 1970 to 1972. The first Black player in FSU football history, Thomas was also a 2-year member of Florida State Track and Field. On the gridiron, Thomas' impact was instant.

As a sophomore in 1970, Thomas blocked two kicks in his very first game, including a late field goal to preserve a 9-7 win over Louisville. Over his first two seasons, Thomas earned first-team All-South Independent honors each years.

He was recognized as a first-team Sophomore All-American in 1970 after recording 83 total tackles, six interceptions, three blocked kicks and a 30-yard interception return for a score in a rout of rival Miami. Thomas tied a then FSU record with three interceptions in a win over Kansas State.

Thomas recorded two interceptions in each of his final two seasons and had three combined blocked kicks over that stretch. He was named an honorable mention All-American in 1971 and a first-team selection by multiple publications in 1972.

Selected in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thomas spent 10 years in the league with the Steelers and Denver Broncos. Thomas helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls during the decade of the 1970s and made the Pro Bowl in 1976.

In Super Bowl X, he had an interception of Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach and a 35-yard return in Pittsburgh's 21-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Inducted into the FSU Hall of Fame in 1979, Thomas would record 20 interceptions and two touchdowns over his decade in the NFL.