Aaron Thomas, iconic Giants tight end, dies at 86 following battle with illness: 'Early version of Travis Kelce'

Aaron Thomas, one of the most prolific receiving tight ends in the history of the New York Giants, died last week at the age of 86 following a lengthy illness.

The Giants announced Thomas' death Friday, saying he died on April 26 at his home in Corvallis, Oregon.

Thomas played 116 regular-season games for the Giants between 1962 and 1970, missing only seven games in his career because of injury. 

He ranks 17th in franchise history with 254 receptions, 14th with 4,253 yards and is tied for sixth with 35 touchdown catches. 

'He's almost like the early version of (Kansas City Chiefs tight end) Travis Kelce,' his son, Robb Thomas, who played a decade in the league, told the team's website. 

Aaron Thomas, one of the most prolific receiving tight ends in Giants history, died last week

Thomas' son, Robb, likened his dad to Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce 

'He was a tight end and flanker, but he really ran good routes and had a good feel about getting into open space.' 

A fourth-round draft pick in 1961, Thomas was traded to the Giants after two games in 1962. Two years later, Thomas led the Giants with 43 receptions for 624 yards and six touchdowns and was selected to the Pro Bowl. 

In 1967, he posted career-high totals of 51 catches, 877 yards and nine scores. He retired following the 1970 season. 

'He was very proud of and loved his years with the Giants,' Robb added. 'He really liked the Mara family. They were good to him. He was always a Giants fan.' 

After his NFL career, Thomas became a stockbroker in Los Angeles before he and his father bought a restaurant/bar/bowling alley in Yreka, California. 

Thomas later moved to Oregon, where he was the head football coach at Klamath Falls High School for three years in the early 1980s. He then returned to his alma mater, Oregon State, where he was the assistant director of the Beaver Club until 1989. 

Thomas is survived by his wife, Joan, and children Troy, Robb, Lance and Leslie.