Chris Thomas was an outstanding wide receiver at Cal Poly in 1991 and 1992, earning all-conference honors as a junior. A Harlon Hill candidate in 1992, Thomas was a projected third-through-sixth-round NFL draft choice before an injury early in the third game ended his senior season. Thomas is No. 8 in single-season receiving yards (877 in 1991) and No. 2 in single-game receiving yards (334 vs. Sacramento State in 1991). He also was in the top 10 in NCAA Division II in kickoff returns with a 28.0 average as a junior and averaged 12.0 yards per punt return as well.

Thomas signed a free-agent contract with the San Diego Chargers in 1993, embarking on an eight-year National Football League career. He played the 1993 and 1994 seasons with San Diego, 1995 with San Francisco, 1997 and 1998 with Washington, 1999 and 2000 with St. Louis and 2001 with Kansas City. The 1999 Rams won the Super Bowl and Thomas played in three other Super Bowls as well -- 1994 and 1995 with San Diego and 2000 with the Rams.

He played in 59 career NFL games and caught 51 passes for 592 yards and one touchdown. Thomas was the 1997 Pro Bowl honorable mention as a special teams player with the Washington Redskins.

Thomas, a transfer from Ventura College, earned his bachelor’s degree in English at Cal Poly and currently is a wealth manager with Merrill Lynch in Westlake Village, CA.