Ratcliff Thomas
Encyclopedia
Ratcliff Thomas is a former American football
linebacker
. He played three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts
(1998–2000) and appeared in 34 games. He totaled 24 defensive tackles, along with an interception.
Usually used on special teams, Thomas also amassed 55 career special teams tackles, leading the Colts with a career-high 31 special team tackles during the 1999 season and finished second on the club with 20 in 2000. He played in each of the Colts postseason games during the 1999 and 2000 campaigns and recorded two special teams tackles.
Thomas played high school football for T. C. Williams High School graduating in 1992. A native of Alexandria, Virginia
, Thomas was a four-year letterman at the University of Maryland, College Park
. He was the first player to lead the Terrapins
in tackles for three consecutive seasons (E. J. Henderson
and D'Qwell Jackson
have since duplicated that feat). Thomas recorded 427 career tackles, the then third-highest (currently fifth-highest) total in school history.
In 2010 Thomas became defense coordinator for the Edison Eagles High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
. He played three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
(1998–2000) and appeared in 34 games. He totaled 24 defensive tackles, along with an interception.
Usually used on special teams, Thomas also amassed 55 career special teams tackles, leading the Colts with a career-high 31 special team tackles during the 1999 season and finished second on the club with 20 in 2000. He played in each of the Colts postseason games during the 1999 and 2000 campaigns and recorded two special teams tackles.
Thomas played high school football for T. C. Williams High School graduating in 1992. A native of Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
, Thomas was a four-year letterman at the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
. He was the first player to lead the Terrapins
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
in tackles for three consecutive seasons (E. J. Henderson
E. J. Henderson
Eric N. "E.J." Henderson is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Vikings in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Maryland....
and D'Qwell Jackson
D'Qwell Jackson
-Cleveland Browns:Jackson was signed by the Cleveland Browns on July 24, 2006. In his rookie season, he started thirteen games at weakside linebacker and finished second on the team in tackles with 115, including 58 solo and three tackles for a loss. Jackson posted a career-high 16 tackles at...
have since duplicated that feat). Thomas recorded 427 career tackles, the then third-highest (currently fifth-highest) total in school history.
In 2010 Thomas became defense coordinator for the Edison Eagles High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
.