Derrick Thomas in Hall-Of-Fame!
Derrick Thomas, pass rusher for the Kansas City Chiefs was a legendary football player known for accomplishing amazing things on as well as off the field. Thomas was much mourned when he died after a car accident in 2000, at age 33, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 8, 2009 – Story by Cyn.Khoo, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
CANTON, OHIO – Thomas was virtually irreplaceable after his death, famed for his unbeatable ability to rush quarterbacks during every game. According to former Chiefs quarterback and Hall of Famer Len Dawson, Thomas was a major influence on the field in every game.
“He was an impact player, and those people don’t come around that often,” said former Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson, a Hall of Fame member himself. “He’s somebody that could change the outcome of a game, and there’s just not that many of those guys. He had that kind of ability. If you didn’t control Derrick Thomas, he was going to control you.”
In addition to being a star football player, Thomas was known for having an extremely big heart and for his contributions to communities outside of football. Having struggled with learning problems himself in school, such as dyslexia, Thomas established the Third and Long Foundation, which combats illiteracy in inner-city schools in Kansas City. The foundation is now nearly 20 years old.
Finally, Thomas was likely the biggest star of all to one Philip Tepe, a high school basketball player who was hemophiliac and contracted AIDS through a tainted blood infusion. Tepe belonged to the Lone Wolf team in Oklahoma, and as word of his condition spread, other schools, teams, and cities refused to play Lone Wolf, with fans turning their backs and other players running away.
Thomas, with friend and attorney Kevin Regan, brought all the Lone Wolf basketball players to Kansas City and gave them a game with professional players, and outfitted the entire team with new equipment, sports wear, and supplies. Thomas and Tepe became good friends and remained so until Tepe passed away. What is even more touching is the fact that Thomas did all of the above privately, refusing as others urged him to display his charity publicly through press conferences and fundraisers.
To see Derrick Thomas set the NFL record with 7 sacks in a game, click the arrow.
August 9th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
It’s about time…DT should’ve been in the hall…Im glad to see he finally got in. But its a joke it took this long.
August 9th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Hey Wayne!
I was at that game against Seattle.It was a heart breaker to see Derrick miss that eighth
sack,since that one would have sealed the game.
I also got a peep into what kind of person Derrick could be off the field.
For all the meaness and self-righteousness that was expressed by many readers of the K.C.
Star concerning his faults,I got the opportunity to talk to Derrick on more than one occasion when I did valet parking for Morton’s Steakhouse in Crown Center.
He and I could always share a good laugh about most anything and usually made my night
go pretty well from there on.
His induction into the HOF was long overdue in one sense,but the fact that he’s in there now at least is a sense of justice.
Barry Jackson
August 9th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Barry, you lucky rascal. I hope you still have the ticket stub, because that little piece of paper represents history. Unfortunately, I never got a chance to talk with Derrick. But, I’ve yet to see a more pure pass rusher than #58. Seriously, nobody could cut the corner with the speed and agility of DT. He was a nightmare for quarterbacks on Sunday. Even Derrick admits the last sack he missed on Dave Krieg late in the game made for a bittersweet performance. Nevertheless, DT put on one hell of a show for the 72,000 fans in attendance. And DT’s record setting day turned out to be a prelude to a highly successful, 10-year, Hall-of-Fame NFL career.
August 10th, 2009 at 5:11 am
The Great #58 enshrined in Canton Ohio. His legacy is now complete.
August 10th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Derrick Thomas puts the “S” in “SACK.” His influence on the game of football will never be forgotten. #58 is a true NFL legend.
August 10th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
The Chiefs finally did something right by drafting Derrick Thomas. RIP #58
August 11th, 2009 at 6:26 am
Strictly Business, I agree with you 100%. As Chiefs fans, we haven’t had much to cheer about the past ten years or so. But, DT is one of the few bright spots. I loved watching him play. Nobody could fly around the tackle like #58.
August 11th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
The Greatest QB Chaser ever. Bar none.
August 11th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
DT enshrined in Canton baby. His legacy is cemented in glory. The SACKMASTER hails from Kansas City!
August 12th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
7 sACKS iN oNE gAME!!! wHOLLY sMOKE!!! tHE cHIEFS oNLY hAD 10 sACKS aLL oF lAST sEASON.
August 15th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
There will never be another Derrick Thomas…7 sacks in one game will never be done again. LONG LIVE #58