BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -Thurman Thomas stood at his father-in-law's hospital bedside, whispering the best words of encouragement he could muster.

``I said, `Hey, you can't quit on me now because we have one more thing to do,''' the former Buffalo Bills star running back said this week. ``'We have to go to the Hall of Fame.'''

Perhaps Bob Mariacher was listening.

He woke from a coma Tuesday at a Buffalo hospital after a weeklong bout with encephalitis, a potentially life-threatening brain inflammation. And Mariacher has a good chance of being well enough for a transfer out of intensive care by the end of this week.

That's important to Thomas, a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame who couldn't imagine being inducted without his father-in-law around.

``I've grown to love him very, very much,'' Thomas said. ``And it would be special if he can be there.''

Mariacher won't be healthy enough to travel to Miami on Feb. 3, when the 2007 Hall of Fame class will be announced a day before the Super Bowl. But if all goes well in his recovery, and Thomas - a finalist for the second consecutive year - is selected, there's a good chance Mariacher would attend the induction ceremonies in Canton, Ohio, in August.

``This has really taken the Hall of Fame off my mind,'' said Thomas, who left his wife, Patti, behind in Buffalo while he returned home to Orlando, Fla., because his three daughters needed to go back to school. ``I've spent more time praying for my father-in-law to get well.''

Thomas' chances of being inducted this year are strong.

Out of 17 finalists, he is the lone running back and his numbers are solid. Thomas' 16,532 career yards from scrimmage ranks eighth in the NFL and his 12,074 career yards rushing ranks 12th. He was part of a Bills team that won an unmatched four consecutive AFC titles in the early 1990s, and a team that already features three Hall of Famers - coach Marv Levy, quarterback Jim Kelly and receiver James Lofton.

And Thomas, who retired in 2000 after one year with Miami, just missed out from being a first-ballot selection last year, edged out by a star-studded class that included Troy Aikman, Reggie White, Warren Moon and John Madden.

Kelly was disappointed Thomas wasn't voted in last year.

``Without a doubt, he is the best all-purpose back in the history of the NFL,'' Kelly said. ``The big reason I made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was because No. 34 was behind me. ... He needs to join the elite because Thurman Thomas was an elite and special player.''

With receiver Andre Reed also among the finalists, there's a chance two players from the Bills' 1990s teams will be selected for induction.

Kelly said Reed, a first-time finalist, is as deserving as Thomas because he was among the most prolific receivers of his time. Reed ranks fifth with 951 career receptions, eighth with 13,198 yards receiving and 10th with 87 touchdowns - all better than two other finalist receivers, Art Monk and Michael Irvin.

Thomas said he felt more anxious last year in the weeks leading up to the vote.

``I guess, I'm kind of more relaxed and just taking it day by day,'' said Thomas, who plans to travel to Miami next week. ``Yeah, my hopes are up. But if I don't get in, I'm not going to change anything.''

Patti Thomas thinks she knows why her husband is more grounded this year.

``We know Thurman deserves this and it's going to be a great thing,'' she said. ``But I just know that all he wants is my dad to be better. I just think that's way on top of his list.''

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