SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - The University of San Francisco Athletics family is saddened to acknowledge the loss of Ralph Thomas, a former member of the football program from 1948-51 and a USF Hall of Fame inductee, who passed away last Monday at the age of 94.
 
A native of Kenosha, Wis., Thomas attended Saint Catherine's High School, where he played four years of football for the Racine Raiders. Following his high school career, Thomas enrolled at San Francisco and joined the football program as a defensive end in 1948.
 
Thomas was a member of the 1951 team that went undefeated, compiling a 9-0 record, outscored opponents 338-86 and was ranked No. 14 in the final Associated Press (AP) Poll. The Dons, coached by Joe Kuharich, climbed the national rankings towards the end of the season as the team earned significant victories over nationally ranked Santa Clara, Pacific, and Loyola. The team also produced four National Football League (NFL) Hall of Famers, five NFL Pro Bowlers, and the first African American NFL official in Burl Toler.
 
Despite the most successful season in program history, the Dons rejected an invitation to the 1952 Orange Bowl after their African American players, Toler and Ollie Matson, were not allowed to play. The team was later honored for their courage and commitment to racial equality at the 2008 Fiesta Bowl as a jersey was placed on permanent display at the Fiesta Bowl Center and Museum in Scottsdale, Ariz.
 
Without postseason funding, San Francisco disbanded the football program at the conclusion of the 1951 season.
 
Following his collegiate career, Thomas went undrafted in the 1952 NFL Draft but signed with the Chicago Cardinals. Thomas played for the Cardinals for one season and later signed with the then-Washington Redskins from 1955-56 before retiring from professional football.
 
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