After graduating, he was recruited by sixBig Ten Conference football programs in 1968.[6] He played at theUniversity of Michigan from 1969 to 1971 and had 218 tackles and 11interceptions.[7] He was an All American in 1971,[8] and he was also named All-Big Ten in 1970.[9] He played on Big Ten champions in both1969 and1971.[8][10] Thom fit in well at Michigan becoming one of CoachBo Schembechler's prized pupils and earning a reference in his 2006 bookBo Schembechler. Darden still ranks among leaders at Michigan for Punt Returns and Punt Return Yardage. Darden played alldefensive back positions at Michigan.[7] In college, Darden was a housemate ofReggie McKenzie,Glenn Doughty,Billy Taylor andMike Taylor in a notable house known as the Den of the Mellow Men.[11]
ESPN chose Darden's November 21, 1971 interception in therivalry game againstOhio State as one of the 100 Plays, performances and moments that define college football.[12] The play was a very controversial call late in the 10–7 game and Ohio State coachWoody Hayes stormed the field to rant at the refereeJerry Markbreit about the referee's call that Hayes thought should have been ruledpass interference.[13] By the end of Hayes' tirade, he had broken a yard marker, shredded a first-down indicator and earned two 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalties. The scene was replayed over and over on national television broadcasts.[14][15] That was Darden's second interception in that game.[16] ESPN also chose Darden as a member of the All-Time University of Michigan Football team.[17]
Darden was drafted in the first round (18th overall) in the1972 NFL draft by theCleveland Browns.[18] Darden started at strong safety in his rookie season of 1972 and played the remainder of his career at free safety until he retired after his tenth and final season, where he only started 10 games. Autry Beamon and Lawrence Johnson filled in for the injured Darden in his final season (1981).Clinton Burrell, who won a starting cornerback position in 1980, only played 2 games in 1981. Rookie Hanford Dixon started at cornerback in place of the injured Burrell. After Darden's retirement, the Browns moved Clinton Burrell to strong safety and Clarence Scott to free safety. Darden was selected as an All-Pro safety in1976,1978, and1979,[1][2][3] and went to the Pro Bowl in 1978.[4]
According toDave Logan, Darden andhead coachForrest Gregg once had a fist fight after a game.[19] Darden has explained that the1977 Cleveland Browns did not respond to Gregg's coaching style, which contributed to his firing with one game remaining.[20]
When Cleveland played its season finale against the1980 Bengals and their former head coach Gregg in the annualrivalry game, Darden used aforearmtackle to the face ofPat McInally.[21] McInally was unconscious for about 10 minutes and left the field on a stretcher, but he returned in the second half to make a game-tyingtouchdown.[22]Art McNally, NFL Supervisor of Officials reviewed game film and ruled that the hit was "unnecessarily rough" resulting inNFL CommissionerPete Rozelle levying a $1000 ($3459 in 2024) fine on Darden.[23] The hit and McInally's recovery are a legendary part of the intrastate rivalry.[24]
Over the course of his career he handled 45 punt returns for 285 return yards.[25] Darden holds Cleveland Browns franchise records with 45 career interceptions, 10 single-season interceptions and 820 interception return yards.[26] Two of Darden's Browns teams went to the playoffs. His rookie year, the 10–4 1972 Browns went to the1972-73 NFL playoffs underhead coachNick Skorich, but lost in the first round to theMiami Dolphins 20–14.[27] The 11–5 1980 Browns went to the1980-81 NFL playoffs under head coachSam Rutigliano, but lost in the first round to theOakland Raiders 14–12.[28]
Darden was ranked 47th on the Cleveland Browns top 100 players list.[29]
In 1985, governmentinformant, David Rice, testified inCuyahoga County Common Pleas Court that Darden was listed as a suspecteddealer ofcocaine in a document that he had been given by theFederal Bureau of Investigation while he was being wired with a hidden microphone. Darden was vociferous in his denial of the claim.[30][31][32]
Darden has served as a professionalsports agent and representedTony Boles. In 1990, he invested $25,000 in Boles by hosting him inCleveland, Ohio and working him out withathletic trainers.[33] At the time he was Cleveland-based sports agent.[34] During Darden's career as an agent he represented an assortment of NFL andNational Basketball Association players and prospects includingFelix Wright andChris Calloway.[35][36][37][38] He was a supporter ofMaurice Clarett's attempt to challenge theNFL Draft's eligibility rules.[39] In 1998, when the NFL reissued a franchise in Cleveland, Darden was part of one of the six bidding groups.[40] In 1999, he owned a security company inCedar Rapids, Iowa.[41] As of 2006, Darden was a business consultant living in Cedar Rapids.[42]
^Butler, Jason (August 25, 1999)."IN GREGG'S CASE, THE SPY CAME IN FROM THE HALL - BROWNS COACH UNCOVERS MODELL'S AGENT, THEN IS FIRED".Akron Beacon Journal. p. C1. RetrievedApril 8, 2024.As the season went on, the team didn't respond well to the way Gregg pushed. Cliques formed, as players' differences polarized the locker room and broke down the team chemistry. "It was tough going to practice," said defensive back Thom Darden. "It was not a good working environment. You could cut the tension with a knife when we were in practice."
