Emmitt Thomas

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Thomas made the Chiefs team as an undrafted free agent from Bishop College in Dallas; he was an AFL All-Star in 1968 and made the NFL's AFC-NFC Pro Bowl four times (1971, 1972, 1974, 1975) after the Chiefs joined the NFL in the 1970 AFL-NFL Merger. He was also selected All-Pro three times. In the 1969 season, he led all pro football with 9 interceptions, which he returned for 146 yards and a touchdown, helping his team win the AFL Championship and the fourth and last AFL-NFL World Championship Game, which the Chiefs won 23–7 over the NFL champion Vikings. Thomas recorded an interception in the Kansas City victory. In 1974, he led the NFL in interceptions (12), return yards (214), and return touchdowns (2). Thomas retired from playing after 13 seasons; he finished his pro football career with 58 interceptions, which he returned for 937 yards and five touchdowns. He also recovered four fumbles, gained 64 yards returning punts, and returned 29 kickoffs for 673 yards. He played in 181 career games, tying for the fifth-most in club annals, and his 58 interceptions are a franchise record. Thomas was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008. He was officially inducted at the Enshrinement Ceremony where his bust, sculpted by Scott Myers, was unveiled on August 2, 2008.

In Their Own Story

The 1969 season stands as a defining chapter in Thomas's playing career. Leading all professional football with nine interceptions that year, he returned them for 146 yards and a touchdown. His presence was crucial when the Chiefs faced the NFL champion Vikings in Super Bowl IV; Thomas recorded an interception in the 23–7 victory. Years later, his influence extended beyond playing days. After becoming an assistant coach in 1981, he won two more championships with the Washington Redskins: Super Bowl XXII and Super Bowl XXVI. His leadership reached a critical point on December 12, 2007, when he was named interim head coach of the Atlanta Falcons following Bobby Petrino's resignation. Amidst a team in shambles, Thomas united the locker room and guided them to a season-ending victory over the Seattle Seahawks. He eventually returned to his roots, hired as the secondary coach for the Kansas City Chiefs on February 1, 2010, before announcing his retirement from coaching on February 12, 2019.

Reader's Guide

Thomas has been an assistant coach in the NFL since 1981. Before being named interim head coach of the Atlanta Falcons on December 12, 2007, after the resignation of Bobby Petrino, Thomas was the Falcons' Senior Defensive Assistant/Secondary Coach. After Petrino's sudden departure left the team in shambles, Thomas attempted to unite the Atlanta locker room, and was able to lead the Falcons to a season-ending victory over the Seattle Seahawks. On January 24, 2008, new Falcons head coach Mike Smith announced that Thomas would remain on staff as assistant head coach. Thomas was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame along with Darrell Green and Art Monk, two players he coached during Super Bowl runs with the Washington Redskins. On January 13, 2010, his contract expired and was not renewed by the Falcons. On February 1, 2010, he was hired as the secondary coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. On February 12, 2019, Thomas announced his retirement from coaching.

Did You Know?

• Thomas won Super Bowl IV as a player with the Chiefs and Super Bowl XXII and Super Bowl XXVI as an assistant coach with the Washington Redskins.
• He owns the Chiefs all-time interception record with 58.
• He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008 after being nominated by the Seniors Committee.

Undrafted Origins to Franchise Legend

Thomas made the Chiefs team as an undrafted free agent from Bishop College in Dallas. He was an AFL All-Star in 1968 and made the NFL's AFC-NFC Pro Bowl four times (1971, 1972, 1974, 1975) after the Chiefs joined the NFL in the 1970 AFL-NFL Merger. He was also selected All-Pro three times. Thomas played in 181 career games, tying for the fifth-most in club annals.

Defining Moments on the Gridiron

In the 1969 season, he led all pro football with 9 interceptions, which he returned for 146 yards and a touchdown. This helped his team win the AFL Championship and Super Bowl IV, where he recorded an interception in the Kansas City victory over the Vikings (23–7). In 1974, he led the NFL in interceptions (12), return yards (214), and return touchdowns (2). He finished his pro football career with 58 interceptions returned for 937 yards and five touchdowns. He also recovered four fumbles, gained 64 yards returning punts, and returned 29 kickoffs for 673 yards.

Coaching Triumphs and Interim Leadership

Thomas won Super Bowl XXII and Super Bowl XXVI as an assistant coach with the Washington Redskins. On December 12, 2007, after the resignation of Bobby Petrino, Thomas became interim head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. He united the locker room and led the Falcons to a season-ending victory over the Seattle Seahawks. On January 24, 2008, new head coach Mike Smith announced Thomas would remain as assistant head coach. His contract expired on January 13, 2010, and was not renewed. He was hired as secondary coach of the Kansas City Chiefs on February 1, 2010, and announced his retirement from coaching on February 12, 2019.

Hall of Fame Enshrinement and Family Life

Thomas was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008 after being nominated by the Seniors Committee. His bust, sculpted by Scott Myers, was unveiled on August 2, 2008, alongside Darrell Green and Art Monk. Thomas resides in Kansas City, Missouri. He married Jacqueline Heafley in 1983; she died on August 21, 2017. From a previous marriage with ex-wife Dianne Thomas, he has one son, Derek (a coach in Las Vegas), and one daughter, Dedra (a legal nurse consultant in Kansas City). He has eight grandchildren: Keydron, Keynan, Kierrah, Kyandria, Bailey, Samantha, Jade, and Shane.