Thurman Thomas was once the most valuable player on the field for the Buffalo Bills, and more than two decades on from his glittering NFL career, he’s providing a helping hand in the stands.The Hall of Fame running back, who spent 12 of his 13 pro seasons lighting up Orchard Park in the 1990s, is involved in the construction of the New Highmark Stadium. Set to open in 2026, the 62,000-seat, $1.7 billion project represents the future for a franchise that has played on the same site since 1973.And the man that helped build the team’s legacy on the field is now helping them build their new home.With Thomas in his prime, the Bills reached a record four-straight Super Bowls from 1990 to 1993.While they lost every single one of those games, their star RB was near unstoppable, rushing for 5,506 yards and 33 touchdowns across those AFC Championship-winning seasons.He was also named the NFL‘s MVP in 1991, and he remained the last Bill to win the award until a certain Josh Allen scooped it in 2025.With the best quarterback in the league on their roster, there is renewed hope in Buffalo that the franchise can finally break their Super Bowl curse, more than three decades on from the glory days of Thomas & co.And despite long hanging up his cleats, the legendary running back remains involved with the team in a rather unique capacity.How is Thomas involved in building New Highmark Stadium?Following his retirement from football, Thomas turned to construction — a family business — and started a company of his own.Established in 2014, 34 Group has quickly become a trusted partner on high-profile construction projects across the Buffalo, New York, area.With a team of designers, builders and other professionals, the company specializes in build outs, renovations and ground up construction for sites like churches, schools, hospitals and hotels.Thomas was MVP for the Bills in the 1990s and is now helping build their new stadiumGettyHis construction company is installing seats in the New Highmark StadiumCarharttMore than 1,400 workers are on site each day at the stadium buildCarharttThe New Highmark Stadium is set to open for the 2026 NFL seasonBuffalo BillsNow, 34 Group is responsible for a project close to Thomas’ heart — installing the seats in the New Highmark Stadium.“The hard work started for me when I was growing up in Houston,” the NFL legend said, in a video shared by Carhartt. “Early in my career, I was doing construction, and at that time, I thought that was going to be my job.“But obviously, football took over.”After retiring from the game, he jumped back into the world of manual labor.Highmark Stadium is ‘largest project ever’ for Thomas“We started building different projects in Buffalo, and I absolutely love it,” Thomas said.Thomas, a Bills legend, has described the stadium project as the ‘largest ever’Getty“It put me back out in the community that supported me growing up.“This stadium project is the largest project ever in Western New York. At one point in time, we will have over 1,400 workers here.“It’s awesome, it’s gruelling, and you have to be dedicated to a project like this.“This is a place I call home. That other building made my career. That’s where we won games together, lost games together. “It’s sad to see the other stadium go, but having a new beginning, that’s what it’s all about.”Thomas on Buffalo’s Super Bowl aspirationsLike every other team in the NFL, the current crop of Buffalo stars dream of delivering Super Bowl glory for their fanbase.If it happens this season — which is set to be their final one at the current Highmark Stadium — the Vince Lombardi Trophy could be paraded around their new digs in 12 months time.But if Super Bowl glory doesn’t arrive for the Bills next February, Thomas believes Buffalo’s window to win will remain open for quite some time.NFL's Greatest......Ranking the top 10......Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and moreTight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?“I think our window has not closed yet,” he told Forbes.“I think we still have a window of about three years, I really do and it’s all because of Josh (Allen), because I think (general manager) Brandon Beane has done something remarkable.“Sure, a GM is going to miss on some picks that they probably should have taken or cut or waived or whatever.“The culture that he has brought to this football team, the type of players that he has brought to this football team over the years, I think that has made a wonderful adjustment in the organization and with the players.”Thomas believes the Bills Super Bowl window will remain open for many yearsGetty/Buffalo BillsStay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the offseason news, interviews and more.