Thurman Thomas was drafted 40th overall in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft from Oklahoma State, after falling past the first round due to knee concerns, but he arrived in Buffalo determined to prove himself. Teaming up with Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, and coach Marv Levy, Thomas became central to the iconic "K-Gun" fast-paced offense, transforming the running back role into a formidable dual-threat weapon both rushing and receiving.

Thomas had outstanding open-field vision, quick lateral movements, and exceptional pass-catching ability. When working in no-huddle formations, he took advantage of light defensive boxes meant to defend against Buffalo's passing attack. He pushed defensive edges, made sharp acceleration cuts to weave through second-level gaps, and absorbed hits without slowing down. As a backfield receiver, he ran diverse routes—such as slants, wheels, and angles—creating tough single-coverage challenges for linebackers.

Thomas quickly established himself as a rookie in 1988, gaining 881 yards, and then exploded in 1989 with 1,244 rushing yards and 60 receptions. This marked the start of an exceptional period where Thomas led the NFL in total yards from scrimmage for four straight seasons (1989–1992), showcasing durability and versatility comparable to Buffalo's four consecutive AFC championships.

His outstanding season came during the 1991 AP NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year campaign. Thomas propelled Buffalo to a 13–3 record, rushing for 1,407 yards and seven touchdowns, while also making 62 receptions for 631 yards and five touchdowns through the air. His 2,038 total yards from scrimmage topped the league, earning him his second First-Team All-Pro honor as Buffalo secured its second straight conference title.

Thomas demonstrated exceptional durability by achieving eight straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons from 1989 to 1996. During Buffalo's four Super Bowl appearances, he was the team's key postseason performer, setting NFL postseason records for total points (126) and touchdowns (21) at retirement.

Following a 12-year tenure with Buffalo and a final season with Miami in 2000, Thomas retired holding franchise records of 11,938 rushing yards and 65 rushing touchdowns. He also recorded 4,458 receiving yards and 22 receiving touchdowns. Thomas was named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. Buffalo honored him by adding him to the Wall of Fame in 2005. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007, and in October 2018, the franchise officially retired his No. 34 jersey.