Rodney Thomas dies aged 41

Former running back Rodney Thomas has died at the age of 41 after a 7-year NFL career.

Rodney Thomas played for Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons.

He died Saturday at the home in Groveton, a small East Texas town where he grew up, that he bought for his mother after signing his first professional contract, Groveton Funeral Home owner Terry Cartwright said Sunday.

The cause of death wasn’t known and an autopsy was underway, Terry Cartwright said.

Rodney Thomas had been living in Spring, near Houston, with his wife and 4-year-old child, and that he often visited Groveton on business and to see his mother and other relatives who live in town.