Remembering Derrick Thomas, 20 years later

Editor’s note: Joel originally posted this article on the 17th anniversary of Derrick Thomas’ death. I thought it was a great way to remember DT, so I felt it would be appropriate to run again Saturday, the 20th anniversary. I also added a photo (tweet) from Wednesday’s parade.

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Derrick Thomas came out of Alabama in 1989.

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Drafted 4th overall by the Chiefs, DT immediately lit it up.

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He was adored by fans because he was so generous with his time.

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And he was just so damn cool (back when backwards caps meant you were cool).

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It wasn't long before he went Pro Bowling.

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The best part was you could put him wherever you wanted.

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And he would get to the QB.

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He loved sacking QBs.

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Really, really good QBs, too.

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Sometimes more than once.

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And sometimes guys that are still famous (that's Jim Harbaugh).

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You never wanted to see him coming around the edge.

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Or bursting through the line.

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Because he might just end up taking the ball from you.

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Or drop you in the end zone.

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There was always the one that would get away.

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But whatever. He sacked him anyway.

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And kept sacking him. For a decade.

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The accident came and a few weeks later he was gone.

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But we didn't forget him.

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Neither did the rest of the world.

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And the 2019 Super Bowl champion pass rushers are making sure of it.