Ex-NFL Player Dies of ALS at Age 42

Former Minnesota Viking Orlando Thomas died Sunday of ALS at the age of 42. Thomas was a safety, leading the league in interceptions during his rookie season in 1995. Thomas retired in 2001 and announced he was suffering from ALS in 2007. During his career, he weighed 225 pounds, but was down to just 70 when he passed away. “Nobody’s ever fought a battle like Orlando fought, with so much,” said his agent, Mark Bartlestein. “He never had a sense of self pity, never felt sorry for himself, he was always worried about everyone else.” In the league concussion settlement, the NFL offered $5 million to families of players who died of ALS.