NATCHITOCHES – As the 2012 Northwestern State football season's home schedule kicks off Saturday evening at 6 in Turpin Stadium, a new tradition dawns as legendary Demon running back Sidney “Thundering Bull” Thornton is saluted as the Exchange Bank Demon Great of the Game.

Thornton broke the school career rushing record as he posted 2,662 yards from 1973-76, and won Most Valuable Offensive Player honors in the 1976 Blue-Gray All-Star Classic before being a second-round NFL Draft pick by the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The Baton Rouge native, now living in Shreveport, won two Super Bowl championships with the Steelers in 1978 and 1979 to highlight his seven-year pro football career.

Thornton will be recognized on the field during the game Saturday evening as NSU plays host to Arkansas-Monticello in the home opener for the Demons.

The Demon Great of the Game, presented by Exchange Bank and Trust of Natchitoches, will spotlight some of the most outstanding performers in the 105-year history of NSU football. Exchange Bank has been a key supporter of NSU Athletics throughout its long history as the oldest financial institution in Natchitoches.

Thornton was listed in 2007 as one of the Top 100 Demon Football Players of the Century during the NSU football centennial celebration. He was the first Demon ballcarrier to average 100 yards rushing per game for a season when he ran for 100.1 per game in his senior year, earning All-America honors along with All-Louisiana first-team recognition while NSU was playing as an independent unaffiliated with a conference.

A four-year starter, Thornton used his 5-11 ½, 242-pound frame, speed and agility to torment defenders, posting a school-record 25 rushing touchdowns. The Baton Rouge-Capitol High product averaged 4.6 yards on 573 career carries for coaches  George Doherty (1973-74) and A.L. Williams (1975-76) before becoming the 48^th overall pick in the 1977 NFL Draft.

His versatility was demonstrated with a 2-for-4 passing record, including a touchdown pass, along with 45 career receptions for 379 yards, an 8.4 average. Thornton also had a 63-yard punt return touchdown, and eight kickoff returns for a 17.7 average.

He set school records for career rushing yards and attempts, most 100-yard rushing games (9), most touchdowns in a game (4 vs. Stephen F. Austin in 1976, still sharing that mark), touchdowns in a season (12), and best season rushing average. As a senior, he ranked in the top 20 nationally in major college football in both rushing and scoring, one of only five players to rank in both categories, and was named permanent offensive team captain.

“I don't know if I ever saw anyone run harder than Sidney Thornton,” said Dan McDonald, an NSU student and sportswriter during those years and now one of the state's most decorated sportswriters. “There wasn't anything cute about his style. It was 'I'm running it right here, and if you're in the way you're going to get hit regardless of what jersey you're wearing.'
“Ken Meeks played wide receiver in Thornton's best season in 1976 and never feared blocking anyone … but he lived in fear of Sidney running over him from the back side. A lot of other teammates probably felt the same way,” wrote McDonald in the 2007 Demon Football Centennial Chapbook.

Thornton ran for a game-record 151 yards and two touchdowns in the nationally-televised 1976 Blue-Gray Classic and was made an “Honorary Lt. Colonel” in the state of Alabama by Gov. George Wallace at the post-game awards dinner.

Thornton bench-pressed 450 pounds, dead-lifted over 600 pounds, and had a 48-inch chest with a 32-inch waist along with 18 ½-inch biceps.

Following his pro career, Thornton was a successful coach at Coushatta High School.

Fans are encouraged to nominate NSU standouts for the Demon Great of the Game honor. E-mail Todd Garzarelli, associate athletic director, at garzarellit@nsula.edu to make a recommendation.