Thurman Thomas, Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee and former Buffalo Bills running back, offered high praise for current Bills running back James Cook following his performance in the most recent AFC Championship Game. Thomas, who achieved eight consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Bills and is recognized as one of only five players in NFL history to surpass 12,000 career rushing yards along with 4,000 receiving yards, reflected on Cook’s role during Buffalo’s playoff matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Like I’ve been saying, ever since the AFC Championship Game, I think he was the best player of the football field that day. You had Josh Allen there. You had Patrick Mahomes. You had Travis Kelce, but I thought James Cook was the best player on that football field for the AFC Championship Game this past year in Kansas City,” said Thomas, who called Cook his favorite current Bills player “besides Josh.” (…) “He’s a guy that I look to. I talk to him every week about the things that are going on with the Buffalo Bills — how they’re going to use them and how they’re going to continue to use him,” said Thomas. “He’s just a great kid, great kid for the community. I’m very happy to have him in Buffalo at least another three or four years.”
During the game in question, Cook collected 134 scrimmage yards and scored two touchdowns on only 16 touches, averaging 6.5 yards per carry and adding a critical fourth-down touchdown late in the third quarter. Thomas’ comments came as Cook signed a contract extension with the team after achieving his second straight 1,000-yard season.
Thomas remains actively involved with both the franchise and community in Western New York and continues to communicate regularly with Cook regarding his development and future within the organization.
Cook now moves forward with continued support from one of Buffalo’s all-time greats as he looks ahead to more seasons with expectations set high by both his own accomplishments and those who wore the uniform before him.
