University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Cajuns To Honor Orlando Thomas For ULM Game
11/12/2014 10:11:00 PM | Football
Team to wear helmet decal for remainder of year; Thomas' No. 42 to come out of retirement for one game
LAFAYETTE – With the passing of one of the greatest players in school history, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team will honor the late Orlando Thomas during its Sun Belt Conference game at ULM on Saturday.
The Ragin' Cajuns will honor the former All-American and two-time Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Year, who passed away on Sunday after a 10-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), by wearing a special decal with the letters "OT" on their helmets for the remainder of the season.
After Wednesday's practice inside the Moncla Indoor Practice Facility, head coach Mark Hudspeth announced that Thomas' No. 42 – one of seven retired numbers in Ragin' Cajuns history – would be re-instated for the ULM game with senior defensive back Sean Thomas (no relation) given the honor of wearing the number.
"We just felt like that (helmet decal) wasn't enough to honor one of the greatest players to play here," Hudspeth said. "(Equipment manager) Lynn Williams called me and I thought it was a phenomenal idea and it's a very fitting way to honor someone that has battled what he has battled, and the career that he has had here at UL."
Sean Thomas, a New Orleans native and former St. Augustine High product, has played in all nine games for the Ragin' Cajuns this season ranking fourth on the team in tackles (38) while recording an interception earlier this season at Ole Miss. His father, Quintin Thomas, played for the Cajuns from 1984-86 and was a graduate assistant during Orlando Thomas' playing days from 1991-94.
"It's an honor to be representing his number and for what's he's done on the football field," Sean Thomas said of wearing No. 42. "I kind of knew (it would be me) when Coach Hudspeth said, 'his father, played, his father coached.' I knew it was around that era from all the stories my father's told. He (Orlando Thomas) was probably the best defensive back that played at UL. My father would tell stories about when Orlando played and two things were going to happen, either receivers were going to lay down or he (Thomas) was going the other way with the ball in his hands.
"It's a honor to wear his number … I hope to wear it well."
Kickoff between Louisiana (6-3, 5-0 Sun Belt) and ULM (3-6, 2-3 Sun Belt) is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN3 and can be heard statewide on the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Sports Network.
The Ragin' Cajuns will honor the former All-American and two-time Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Year, who passed away on Sunday after a 10-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), by wearing a special decal with the letters "OT" on their helmets for the remainder of the season.
After Wednesday's practice inside the Moncla Indoor Practice Facility, head coach Mark Hudspeth announced that Thomas' No. 42 – one of seven retired numbers in Ragin' Cajuns history – would be re-instated for the ULM game with senior defensive back Sean Thomas (no relation) given the honor of wearing the number.
"We just felt like that (helmet decal) wasn't enough to honor one of the greatest players to play here," Hudspeth said. "(Equipment manager) Lynn Williams called me and I thought it was a phenomenal idea and it's a very fitting way to honor someone that has battled what he has battled, and the career that he has had here at UL."
Sean Thomas, a New Orleans native and former St. Augustine High product, has played in all nine games for the Ragin' Cajuns this season ranking fourth on the team in tackles (38) while recording an interception earlier this season at Ole Miss. His father, Quintin Thomas, played for the Cajuns from 1984-86 and was a graduate assistant during Orlando Thomas' playing days from 1991-94.
"It's an honor to be representing his number and for what's he's done on the football field," Sean Thomas said of wearing No. 42. "I kind of knew (it would be me) when Coach Hudspeth said, 'his father, played, his father coached.' I knew it was around that era from all the stories my father's told. He (Orlando Thomas) was probably the best defensive back that played at UL. My father would tell stories about when Orlando played and two things were going to happen, either receivers were going to lay down or he (Thomas) was going the other way with the ball in his hands.
"It's a honor to wear his number … I hope to wear it well."
Kickoff between Louisiana (6-3, 5-0 Sun Belt) and ULM (3-6, 2-3 Sun Belt) is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN3 and can be heard statewide on the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Sports Network.
Players Mentioned
CB
/ FootballJaden Dugger Media Availability (Nov 29, 2025)
Sunday, November 30
Bill Davis Media Availability (Nov 29, 2025)
Sunday, November 30
Brent Gordon Jr. Media Availability (Nov 29, 2025)
Sunday, November 30
Michael Desormeaux Media Availability (Nov 29, 2025)
Sunday, November 30
