Derrick Thomas Career Overview

Position: Linebacker (LB)
Date of Birth: January 1, 1967
Career Duration: 1989 - 1999
Team: Kansas City Chiefs (KC)

Career Highlights and Accomplishments

• Drafted: 4th overall in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
• Pro Bowl Selections: 9-time Pro Bowl selection (1990-1998).
• First-Team All-Pro: 3-time First-Team All-Pro (1990, 1992, 1993).
• Second-Team All-Pro: 3-time Second-Team All-Pro (1991, 1994, 1995).
• Defensive Rookie of the Year: NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1989).
• Career Sacks: Accumulated 126.5 career sacks, ranking him among the top sack leaders in NFL history.
• Single-Game Sacks Record: Holds the NFL record for most sacks in a single game with 7 against the Seattle Seahawks on November 11, 1990.
• Chiefs Ring of Honor: Inducted into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame.
• Legacy: Remembered as one of the most dominant pass rushers of his era, known for his speed, agility, and relentless pursuit of quarterbacks.

Personal Life and Legacy

Derrick Thomas was not only an exceptional player on the field but also a dedicated philanthropist off the field. He founded the Derrick Thomas Foundation, which aimed at improving the quality of life for children and families in need. Tragically, Thomas passed away on February 8, 2000, after a car accident, but his legacy continues to live on through his contributions to both the NFL and the community.