Faith Rewarded

This chapter details how Bob Thomas was once again released from the Chicago Bears in 1985. Within a week, a new suitor in the National Football League (NFL) came calling, from faraway San Diego, California. A lingering injury to Rolf Benirschke had sent the San Diego Chargers' kicker to the sidelines, and the bitterness of seeing others perform his longtime role was similar to the pain Thomas was experiencing. On Wednesday, September 11, Thomas was among three possible substitutes, along with Dean Biasucci and Eddie Garcia. Rather than animosity arising between Thomas and Benirschke, the two instead developed an immediate kinship in discovering they had much in common. After Thomas signed his contract on Thursday afternoon, September 12, the two even hung out together at Rolf's home that very evening, watching the Raiders-Chiefs game on television.