Every Friday evening in the fall, you will see a player wearing No. 32. This number holds a special place in Pampa High School football history because it was worn by Pro Football Hall of Famer Zach Thomas. As a tribute to Thomas, the Pampa High School football program has retired No. 32 from regular jersey circulation. From this day forward, jersey No. 32 will be worn every Friday night by a different individual. That individual embodies the competitive spirit that Zach Thomas displayed every Friday night in the fall. The individual is selected by the coaching staff.
The tenth and final player selected by the coaching staff to wear No. 32 during the 2026 season is senior offensive and defensive lineman, Connor McKinley. He normally wears No. 51, but for Thursday’s tenth and final game of the season against West Plains, he will wear the legendary Zach Thomas No. 32.
For Pampa senior Connor McKinley, being selected by the Harvester coaching staff to wear the No. 32 jersey in honor of Pampa legend and NFL Hall of Famer Zach Thomas is a recognition he does not take lightly.
“I think it takes a great deal of trust for a coach to have their player wear a number that an NFL Hall of Famer wore,” McKinley said. “I think it shows how much they trust me to do the job.”
McKinley understands that wearing No. 32 represents more than just honoring one of the greatest football players to come through Pampa. It also represents the character, leadership and dedication Thomas displayed throughout his career.
“I think it means a great deal because of what the number 32 represents,” McKinley said. “It represents Zach Thomas, an NFL Hall of Famer and an all-around great guy. I think it doesn’t just mean that you’re wearing 32 for Zach Thomas. I think it means 32 because of what Zach Thomas represents, because of how good of a person he was and how he led his team with Pampa and at Texas Tech and in the NFL.”
Outside of football, McKinley stays busy with music as a member of the Pampa High School marching band. While he does not currently participate in any other sports, music is something he hopes to continue pursuing after graduation.
“I’m thinking about doing the Goin’ Band at Texas Tech,” McKinley said.
McKinley has his sights set on attending Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where he is considering two different career paths.
“I’m about committed to Texas Tech,” McKinley said. “I’m very excited to go to Lubbock and see what it has in store for me.”
As for his college major, McKinley is considering studying business through the Rawls College of Business or pursuing music performance through the university’s School of Music.
When he is not on the football field or performing with the band, McKinley enjoys playing music, spending time gaming with friends and driving cars.
“I like to play music. I love playing music,” McKinley said. “I like playing games with my friends, and I love driving nice cars. I have friends that have very nice cars, and I love driving them.”
In the classroom, McKinley has developed a particular interest in history, a subject he believes offers valuable lessons that extend beyond school.
“My favorite subject is a very odd one. My favorite subject is history because I’m a history buff,” McKinley said. “I love history. I think you learn a lot from history. History can teach you a lot of things.”
As McKinley prepares to finish his senior season and eventually move on to the next chapter of his life, he hopes the younger players in the Harvester football program understand the importance of developing good habits and putting in the work early in their careers.
“For the younger guys that are hearing this or reading this, I think it’s important that you do it young,” McKinley said. “You do the right stuff from a young age because when you get to be a senior like me, it gets way easier to do all the hard stuff, or the stuff that you thought was hard freshman year or sophomore year. It gets way easier.”
For McKinley, the opportunity to wear No. 32 is a reminder of the trust his coaches have placed in him and the responsibility that comes with representing the legacy of Zach Thomas, both on and off the football field.
Position coach Blake Henry praised Connor for his consistency, dedication, and relentless work ethic throughout the season, emphasizing the impact he has made on his teammates.
“Connor has been one of the most consistent players for us this season,” Henry said. “He has been 100 percent bought in since last season and works hard every single day to make himself and his team better. I never have to worry about his heart or his effort. He is going to give everything he has every week.”
