A bit overdue, no?
The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Tuesday the team will officially retire the jersey of the late Derrick Thomas. #58 is special to so many Kansas Citians for his work on and off the field.
The family of Derrick Thomas will receive his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring at the December 6th game against the Denver Broncos. Fitting, if you ask me considering former Broncos quarterback John Elway was sacked by DT 14 times in Arrowhead.
Thomas will join the following members of the Chiefs retired jersey club:
K Jan Stenerud (3), QB Len Dawson (16), CB Emmitt Thomas (18), RB Abner Haynes (28), RB Stone Johnson (33), RB Mack Lee Hill (36), LB Willie Lanier (63), LB Bobby Bell (78) and DT Buck Buchanan (86)
DT holds a myriad of NFL records including sacks in a single game (7) and sacks in the 1990s (116.5). The team's MVP award is named after the late linebacker.
Here's a little more on DT from the mothership:
Truly one of the most dominant players of his era, Thomas produced 27 multi-sack games during his NFL tenure. From ‘92-99, the Chiefs were an astounding 16-1 when Thomas registered 2.0 or more sacks.
He was also the key figure in Kansas City’s record-setting ‘95 defensive unit that ranked in the NFL’s top five in scoring defense (1st), total defense (2nd), rushing defense (3rd) and pass defense (5th) as the Chiefs posted a 13-3 regular season record for the first time in team history.
He was admitted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 2001, one year after his death in 2000.
DT will be the 16th player who has had some affiliation with the Chiefs to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He'll join:
Marcus Allen, Joe Montana, Bobby Bell, Buck Buchanon, Len Dawson, Lamar Hunt, Willie Lanier, Warren Moon, Marv Levy, Jan Stenerud, Hank Stram, Emmitt Thomas and Mike Webster.
Carl Peterson will be the presenter when Derrick Thomas is inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 8th in Canton, Ohio.
Congratulations to Derrick Thomas and the Chiefs for a job well done.
H/T NJChiefsFan in the FanShots for the link and for this awesome video of DT below. Enjoy!