Anthony Thomas (American football)
A powerful, record-setting running back whose 'A-Train' nickname perfectly captured his relentless, downhill rushing style at Michigan and in the NFL.
Born 1977 (age 49)·American football player and coach·Birthday: November 7·Generation X
Biography
Anthony 'A-Train' Thomas emerged from small-town Mississippi to become a bruising force in the Big Ten. At the University of Michigan, he was the workhorse of Lloyd Carr's offense, methodically grinding down defenses with his size and consistency. His four-year career culminated in him shattering the Wolverines' all-time rushing record, a testament to his durability and production. Drafted by the Chicago Bears, his rookie season was a revelation; he earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, powering the Bears to an NFC Central title with over 1,100 yards. While injuries later tempered his career trajectory, his peak was defined by a classic, physical running style that felt like a throwback. After his playing days, he transitioned into coaching, aiming to impart the lessons of his hard-nosed journey to a new generation of players.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Anthony was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anthony Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
Anthony's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Broke the University of Michigan's career rushing record with 4,472 yards, a mark that stood for several years.
- Named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2001 after rushing for 1,183 yards and 7 touchdowns for the Chicago Bears.
- Led the NFC in rushing touchdowns during his rookie season with 7.
- Was a key player in the Chicago Bears' 2001 NFC Central Division championship team.
Did You Know?
His 'A-Train' nickname was given to him by a sports information director at the University of Michigan.
He wore jersey number 35 for the majority of his NFL career.
He was a second-round draft pick (38th overall) by the Chicago Bears in the 2001 NFL Draft.
In his rookie year, he started 14 games and had six 100-yard rushing games.
“Just put your head down and move the pile. That's how you get the yards.”
