{"sport":"nfl","slug":"cliff-thrift","bio":{"fullName":"Cliff Thrift","position":"LB","positionGroup":"LB","team":null,"jerseyNumber":0,"heightInches":73,"weightLbs":232,"birthDate":"1956-05-03","college":"East Central","collegeConference":null,"headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/f_auto,q_auto/league/vwmmfcrgwuypsndbd5u0","rookieSeason":1979,"lastSeason":1986,"yearsExperience":8,"status":"ACT","externalIds":{"gsis":"THR332232","pfr":"ThriCl20"}},"draft":{"year":1979,"round":3,"pick":73,"team":"LAC","undrafted":false},"combine":null,"accolades":null,"statTables":[{"id":"defense","label":"Defense","columns":[{"key":"tackles_combined"},{"key":"tackles_solo"},{"key":"sacks_def"},{"key":"def_int"},{"key":"passes_defended"},{"key":"forced_fumbles"},{"key":"fumble_recoveries"}],"rows":[{"season":1980,"seasonType":"REG","team":"SD","values":{"tackles_combined":null,"tackles_solo":null,"sacks_def":null,"def_int":1,"passes_defended":null,"forced_fumbles":null,"fumble_recoveries":null},"rowScope":"team"},{"season":1981,"seasonType":"REG","team":"SD","values":{"tackles_combined":27,"tackles_solo":17,"sacks_def":0,"def_int":null,"passes_defended":1,"forced_fumbles":0,"fumble_recoveries":null},"rowScope":"team"},{"season":1982,"seasonType":"REG","team":"SD","values":{"tackles_combined":55,"tackles_solo":35,"sacks_def":0,"def_int":2,"passes_defended":8,"forced_fumbles":0,"fumble_recoveries":null},"rowScope":"team"},{"season":1983,"seasonType":"REG","team":"SD","values":{"tackles_combined":9,"tackles_solo":6,"sacks_def":0,"def_int":null,"passes_defended":1,"forced_fumbles":0,"fumble_recoveries":null},"rowScope":"team"},{"season":1984,"seasonType":"REG","team":"SD","values":{"tackles_combined":28,"tackles_solo":23,"sacks_def":0,"def_int":null,"passes_defended":0,"forced_fumbles":0,"fumble_recoveries":null},"rowScope":"team"},{"season":1985,"seasonType":"REG","team":"CHI","values":{"tackles_combined":8,"tackles_solo":8,"sacks_def":0,"def_int":null,"passes_defended":0,"forced_fumbles":0,"fumble_recoveries":null},"rowScope":"team"},{"season":1986,"seasonType":"REG","team":"LAR","values":{"tackles_combined":14,"tackles_solo":11,"sacks_def":0,"def_int":null,"passes_defended":0,"forced_fumbles":0,"fumble_recoveries":null},"rowScope":"team"}],"careerTotals":{"REG":{"tackles_combined":141,"tackles_solo":100,"sacks_def":0,"def_int":3,"passes_defended":10,"forced_fumbles":0,"fumble_recoveries":0}}}],"similarPlayers":[{"slug":"darron-lee","name":"Darron Lee","sport":"nfl","similarity":100,"position":"ILB","team":"BUF","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/f_auto,q_auto/league/bktkirlcaspsszlijiri","basis":"Linebacker comp"},{"slug":"tony-peterson","name":"Tony Peterson","sport":"nfl","similarity":100,"position":"LB","team":"SF","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/f_auto,q_auto/league/jw5vr891fzoaqmjr7sf2","basis":"Linebacker comp"},{"slug":"wilber-marshall","name":"Wilber Marshall","sport":"nfl","similarity":99,"position":"OLB","team":"NYJ","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/f_auto,q_auto/league/igbdcw41ighuhynivr2w","basis":"Linebacker comp"},{"slug":"d-marco-jackson","name":"D'Marco Jackson","sport":"nfl","similarity":98,"position":"LB","team":"CHI","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/league/bwbialh78nao9svr8jqn","basis":"Linebacker comp"},{"slug":"lavonte-david","name":"Lavonte David","sport":"nfl","similarity":98,"position":"OLB","team":"TB","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/league/gicyoxodiwdzvybrzddk","basis":"Linebacker comp"},{"slug":"vince-williams-2013","name":"Vince Williams","sport":"nfl","similarity":98,"position":"ILB","team":"PIT","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/f_auto,q_auto/league/xxfxattoqwreu5ppyicl","basis":"Linebacker comp"},{"slug":"cory-james","name":"Cory James","sport":"nfl","similarity":97,"position":"OLB","team":"OAK","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/f_auto,q_auto/league/ljm30j7hkqmzexnrohgz","basis":"Linebacker comp"},{"slug":"craig-robertson","name":"Craig Robertson","sport":"nfl","similarity":97,"position":"LB","team":"NO","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/f_auto,q_auto/league/o4futmewhqnhcb71pds2","basis":"Linebacker comp"}],"dataSources":["nflverse:players","wikipedia:season-stats (CC-BY-SA, facts-only)","nfl.com:official-stats (facts-only reference)"],"generatedAt":"2026-08-31T10:23:32.140Z","careerOnly":false}