Thomas, a center and linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1950-51, is owner-president of the West Virginia-based "USA All-Stars" semi-pro team that will play its first-ever game April 27 at noon against the Hawaii Football League all-stars at Cooke Field.
The game is being dedicated to Shannon Smith, who drowned recently on Kauai while saving the life of Cody vonAppen, son of University of Hawaii coach Fred vonAppen.
Admission is $5 per person.
"Our players and coaches are paying their own way to Hawaii," said Thomas, who says the club's roster is made up of former small college players from different parts of the mainland.
"We're bringing people who still have football in their hearts and want to play," Thomas added.
Thomas, who began playing football at age 17, played college ball at Miami, Fla. He is currently a defensive coordinator for a West Virginia high school team.
Bob Goin, retired Florida State athletic director, serves as the "USA All-Stars" general manager.
"Our goal is to promote American-rules football in foreign countries with hopes that it'll become the next Olympic sport," Thomas said. "If beach volleyball can make it, football has a chance.
"Right now, foreign countries are pushing it a lot harder than America is," he added. "Germany, Spain, England, Scotland, Sweden and France all have over 100 teams playing American-rules football now and it's appealing to the younger generation of those countries."
Thomas, who is currently finalizing plans for a July game in Ireland, and Rev. John Frederick of the Hawaii Football League see Hawaii as a potential site for international games.
The "USA All-Stars" party of 66 will be in town from April 21-28.
"It'll be a first-time visit for just about all of them," Thomas said.
The Hawaii team will include running backs Danny Crowell and Eric Lalau; wide receivers Danny Ahuna, Micah Matsuzaki and Chuck Stevens; quarterback Mike Nua; offensive lineman Lemoe Tua; linebacker Joe Correa and defensive end Junior Sesepasara.
The game will be played a week after 18 Hawaii Football League players are scheduled to participate in the April 20 "Opportunity Bowl" in Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas game is being played for scouts from the National Football League, Canadian Football League, World Football League and Arena Football League.
The Hawaii Football League also announced that the NFL free-agent scouting combine will conduct a tryout at Kailua High School field on May 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Those interested can call Frederick at 676-4714.