Carl Peterson Will Present Derrick Thomas at Hall of Fame Induction

by Joel Thorman on Jun 4, 2009 6:37 PM CDT in 2009 Offseason Comment 19 comments

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"I watched him grow to become a great ambassador for Kansas City, the Chiefs and the National Football League. He will always be my son. In truth, he will always be our son.'' -Carl Peterson, February 2000

We all knew who it would be, now it's official.

On August 8th former Kansas City Chiefs GM Carl Peterson will present the late Derrick Thomas into the Pro Football Hall of Fame it was announced. Per the Hall of Fame's official site, the family of Thomas asked his former boss and long time friend to do the honors.

The family of Derrick Thomas has asked Carl Peterson, the former President of the Kansas City Chiefs, to serve as presenter for the late linebacker. Peterson, who drafted Thomas in 1989, had a long personal relationship with him.

Peterson was the only GM Derrick Thomas ever knew in his 11 year tenure in Kansas City. DT had a great ride setting an array of team records including career sacks (126.5), sacks in a season (20), sacks in a game (7), fumble recoveries (19), safeties (3) and playoff appearances (10).

He was chosen NFL Man of the Year and was well known throughout the community for his charitable deeds. "He couldn't say no. Derrick was just a good man. He wanted to help everybody," Peterson once said. Thomas himself once said, "I want to help the kids. All of them."

Peterson and Thomas were close off the field. The former GM regularly spoke of Thomas as his son. Thomas reciprocated that by referring to Peterson as his father.

Days after the car accident that would eventually take his life, Peterson relayed a conversation between him and Thomas. "He was in a wheelchair...I said 'Son, you're mobile.' He said, 'Father, I am. I've got wheels.'"

For all the criticism we've given Carl Peterson over the years, I am proud to say that he will present one of the greatest players to ever put on a Chiefs uniform into the Hall of Fame.

Thank you, Derrick Thomas - January 1, 1967 - February 8, 2000

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We all knew it

Now it’s “official”.

by Joel Thorman on Jun 4, 2009 6:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

DT was why i loved the chiefs when my mom first introduced me to football. Glad to see her made the HOF finally.

by xfatdannx on Jun 4, 2009 6:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

*he

by xfatdannx on Jun 4, 2009 6:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Great way to send off Carl.

I grew up during the Peterson regime and this will be a great way to honor and send off the memory of those years. DT was my favorite player growing up so I’m always going to look at the Chiefs as “during” and “after” the DT days.

by JayrodT on Jun 4, 2009 7:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Jun 4, 2009 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well said.

I've been rapping for about seveteen years okay? I don't write my stuff anymore I just kick it from my head you know what I'm sayin? I can do that. No disrespect but that's how I am.

by soybon on Jun 4, 2009 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad..

Peterson is doing this.
R.I.P DT =[
You still are my favorite player of all time.

by Wrestler189s on Jun 4, 2009 7:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Jun 4, 2009 7:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

About time!

I have watched DT since he was in Alabama and got the pleasure of meeting him in 1998, when he came back for an A-Day game. Very nice man and was having fun meeting the people in the cafe where I worked.

R.I.P DT..

by Lndofoz on Jun 4, 2009 7:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Welcome to AP Lndofoz

Glad to have you.

by Joel Thorman on Jun 4, 2009 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please Lord, let there be a leather trench coat present in August.

by HIV 2 Elway on Jun 4, 2009 7:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Have you seen this

There’s a video on nfl.com about Cassel. Sorry if it’s already been on here.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d810aa4d4&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true

TOUCHDOWN! KAN-SAH-CITY!!!

by TheScootness on Jun 4, 2009 8:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Nelly posted it in the FanShots yesterday.

But the article is new. Thanks.

by Joel Thorman on Jun 4, 2009 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I figured

You guys are all over it. There’s also a second article on there about his contract situation.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81094796&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true

TOUCHDOWN! KAN-SAH-CITY!!!

by TheScootness on Jun 4, 2009 8:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ha!

I went to the video you linked and then found this article.

Lots of stuff on the Chiefs today! Scoot, you should head to this page, and drag the FanShot bookmarklet into your favorites bar. When you get to a page you want to link for us, just click that button in your favorites and it will automatically post to the FanShots. Let me know if you need any help with it.

by Joel Thorman on Jun 4, 2009 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs