High school Thurman played at the
running back position at
Robert E. Lee High School in
Midland, Texas under coach
Spike Dykes. Thurman would play at the
wide receiver position, but earned his accolades as a
punt returner. Thurman would play from 1985-1988, and earned
Associated Press All-American 1st Team honors as a kick returner during his senior year in 1988.
Professional Thurman went undrafted in 1989 before being signed as a
free agent for the
Dallas Cowboys. He was cut from the roster before the 1989 season began and spent several years in both the
Canadian Football League and the
Arena Football League playing for teams including the
Ottawa Rough Riders,
Dallas Texans (Arena),
Las Vegas Sting,
Connecticut Coyotes and
Texas Terror. ==References==