Derrick Thomas

Chiefs legend and Hall of Fame pass rusher

Derrick Vincent Thomas (January 1, 1967 – February 8, 2000) was an American professional football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). Nicknamed "D. T.", he played 11 seasons with the Chiefs until his death in 2000. He is considered one of the greatest pass rushers of all time.

Quick Facts

Position: Linebacker
Born: 1 January 1967
Birthplace: Miami, Florida, U.S.
Died: 8 February 2000
High school: South Miami Senior
College: Alabama (1985–1988)
Draft year: 1989
Draft round: 1

Lore & Background

Thomas played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, winning the Butkus Award in 1988. He was selected fourth overall in the 1989 NFL draft by the Chiefs, where he received nine Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro selections. Thomas also set the single-game sacks record in 1990. After the Chiefs' 1999 season, Thomas was rendered paraplegic in a car crash and died two weeks later from a pulmonary embolism. He was posthumously inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

Reader's Guide

Thomas was born on January 1, 1967, in Miami, Florida, and raised by his mother Edith Morgan. His father, Air Force Captain and B-52 pilot Robert James Thomas, died during a mission in the Vietnam War when Derrick was five. He played high school football at South Miami Senior High School. At Alabama, he won the Butkus Award in 1988 and was a consensus All-American.

He was selected fourth overall in the 1989 NFL draft by the Chiefs. In his rookie year, he recorded 10 sacks and was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. In 1990, he set the single-game sacks record with 7 sacks against the Seattle Seahawks, finishing the season with a career-high 20 sacks. He recorded double-digit sacks in 7 of his 11 seasons.

He is 18th all-time in sacks and remains the Chiefs' all-time leader in sacks, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries. He recorded 1 interception and recovered 19 fumbles, returning them for 161 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was posthumously inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 2000, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014. The Chiefs retired his number 58 in 2009.

Did You Know?

He sacked Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway 26 times, the most against any quarterback in his career.
Thomas founded the Derrick Thomas Third and Long Foundation in 1990 to promote literacy.