Shag Thomas


James "Shag" Thomas was an American professional wrestler during the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the few prominent African-American wrestlers of his day.

Early life, family and education

Thomas attended Bellaire [High School (Ohio)|Bellaire High School] in Bellaire, Ohio. He played football for the school's Big Reds under head coach John "Butch" Niemiec, a former star player at the University of Notre Dame under coach Knute Rockne. In Thomas' four years in high school, the Big Reds record was 31–6–1 and included an Ohio Valley Athletic Association title. He graduated in 1942.
He subsequently served in the US military during World War II.
Thomas attended Ohio State University, playing for the Ohio State Buckeye squad. He was a member of the 1950 Rose Bowl champion team that entered that game at 6–1–2 and was deemed the sixth best team that year in the AP poll. During that season he had great performances against an undefeated Minnesota and Michigan.
Thomas' younger brother Clyde Thomas starred in the backfield for the Ohio University football team that went undefeated in 1960. Clyde played football for the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles, Canadian Football League's British Columbia Lions, and United Football League's Wheeling Ironmen.

Career

In July 1950, Thomas signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers and appeared in pre-season games that year. However, he was cut prior to the final exhibition game.
Thomas was also known as King Toby and often fought as a babyface. During most of his career, segregation in wrestling was the norm in many territories and promotions throughout the US. Although he had wrestled in his native Ohio for promoter Al Haft, he gained prominence while wrestling in the Pacific Northwest Wrestling territory for promoter Don Owen. Owen did not segregate his wrestlers, and Thomas flourished there, winning the Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship twice and the Tag Team Championship 16 times.
Thomas retired from wrestling in 1969 after defeating Roger Kirby by disqualification in his final match. After retirement, he refereed wrestling matches on Owen's Portland Wrestling broadcast Saturday nights on KPTV. In 1972, Thomas came out of retirement and returned to wrestling until 1976.

Personal life

Thomas succumbed to a heart attack on July 25, 1982, at age 57.

Championships and accomplishments