Or write about sports? On January 23, 2000, Thomas' 1999 Chevrolet Suburban went off Interstate 435 in Clay County as he and two passengers were driving to Kansas City International Airport during a snowstorm for a flight to St. Louis to watch the NFC Championship Game between the St. Louis Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It helps soften the memory that the touchdown was called back because of holding but it's what . Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Derrick Thomas may have been nearing the end of his football career, but he was in the prime of his life. He was also selected as a unanimous All-American at the conclusion of the 1988 season, a season which culminated in the Crimson Tide's thrilling 29-28 victory over Army in the 1988 Sun Bowl. Thomas, a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s, was named first-team All-AFC seven times during an eight-year stretch from 1989 through 1996. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Its a tough thing to deal with.. It certainly helps when your star player racks up an unthinkable 27 sacks in a single season, too. 3, the Kansas City Chiefs took Thomas, a linebacker from Alabama, with the fourth pick. Thomas finished 10th in 1988, when Oklahoma State RB Barry Sanders won the award. An NFL player has recorded six sacks in a game three times, and Thomas has one of those, too, with six against the Oakland Raiders on Sept. 6, 1998. The characteristics that set Derrick apart on the field was his endurance, his perseverance, his sportsmanship. Derrick Williams Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com Derrick Williams Derrick Williams Twitter : DWXXIII (D-Will) Position: Power Forward and Small Forward Shoots: Right 6-8 , 240lb (203cm, 108kg) More bio, uniform, draft, salary info 2011-12 All-Rookie 7 13 23 22 3 32 6 SUMMARY Career G 428 PTS This section is for trained professionals only. And every time after the drill, Derrick would come over, smile at us, and say what else would you like to see? There were four of his teammates that were working out with us at that time, too. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. "He just stumbled back and caught his balance and threw the pass. In his 11 years with the Chiefs, the Chiefs were a combined plus 120 on the turnover ratio. Derrick Thomas ( #00710601 ) < Previous Counseling Profile Next Counseling Profile > Counseling; Desired Counseling. Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. 0: 0: Runs 0 Hits 2 Errors 0 Teams tried to concoct a game plan for Thomas. Positions: Thomas Jermaine Bryant (Nova Iorque, 31 de julho de 1997) um jogador norte-americano de basquete profissional que atualmente joga nos Denver Nuggets da National Basketball Association (NBA). Reports vary as to how many of those TFLs were credited as sacks -- the Los Angeles Times reported he had four, Sports Illustrated only two -- but he also recovered a fumble. And we were a little hot about it. He might have been taken one pick ahead of Deion Sanders in the first round of the 1989 NFL draft, but Thomas wasn't flashy like "Prime Time. Alabama NFL/AFL Players. For an offensive coordinator or an offensive tackle and quarterback to go into a game and know that the guy coming off the corner there like Derrick Thomas, with all the skill set he has, is definitely something you had to be concerned about.". Born in Miami, Florida, Thomas was raised by his mother Edith Morgan. Slippery Rock defensive end Marcus Martin holds college football's all-time record, finishing his career with 56.0 sacks regardless of division, but he played at the Division II level. Add Twitter; Add Video; Add Youtube; Add Instagram; Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. This is Thomas' actual stat line from the 1988 season: 88 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, 44 quarterback pressures and two blocked kicks. Like I said, out of all the guys I played against -- unbelievable, unbelievable defensive guys -- and Derrick Thomas is No. "I hate to say that with my buddies on the front line, but he was just that dominant. The SEC's other double enshrinees are Jack Youngblood and Emmitt Smith of Florida, Charley Trippi and Fran Tarkenton of Georgia, Bruiser Kinard of Ole Miss and Doug Atkins and Reggie White of Tennessee. Kansas City. And Bill Cowher came back and said I'm running out of drills. 39 Tackles for loss by Thomas in 1988 - Alabama's single-season record by 12. Two weeks later, at 33, he died of a . In his second year in the NFL, Thomas set an NFL record with seven sacks against the Seattle Seahawks, breaking the record of six set San Francisco's Fred Dean in 1983. 26 Times that Thomas sacked fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway of the Denver Broncos while playing for the Kansas City Chiefs. All rights reserved. In 2009, he was posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That's where his intimidation came from, the fact that you knew what he was capable of. Biography. The player picked after Thomas was Florida State CB Deion Sanders by the Atlanta Falcons, giving the 1989 draft four future Pro Football Hall of Famers in the first five selections. We'll get Derrick lined up in his three-point stance in his normal position right outside linebacker. No defender was more dominant in the history of college football than the late Derrick Thomas was for the Alabama Crimson Tide. (Associated Press/Kent Gidley). 2011-12 And Derrick Thomas during his career was responsible for 65 of those takeaways. "And once Derrick Thomas is flying around, all kinds of things happen. Thomas spinal column was fractured at the C-5 vertebrae level and in the thoracic vertebrae level. That all changed Jan. 23, 2000. To be clear, what you're about to read isn't a typo. All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. Now who is going to win that battle? Francis tried to escape to his right -- "That didn't work well," he said sarcastically -- and Thomas was on him in the blink of an eye, pulling Francis down to the ground, landing on his shoulder and creating a separation in the area of the collarbone that never fully healed. Bottom Line: University of Alabama The University of Alabama won five national titles from 2009 to 2017. Baker said. But in his 11 years, he spent time during the season, during the off-season attending classes at the University of monmouth, Kansas City. Join our linker program. One of his sacks of Seattle quarterback Dave Krieg forced a fumble thatDan Saleaumua recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Derrick Thomas played 169 games over his career. Rankings for the 2023 NFL draft: Top prospects at every position from Kiper, McShay, Miller, Reid, Kiper's new Big Board rankings for the 2023 NFL draft: Top 25 prospects, Sources: Asst. Drafted: 409 players. Derrick Thomas Autographed Signed 1989 Topps Traded #90T Rookie - Beckett COA - Deceased WIN $1384.60 $899.99 free shipping Derrick Thomas Autographed Signed Single Official Wilson NFL Football PSA DNA COA DER $4384.60 $2849.99 free shipping Derrick Thomas Autographed Signed Auto Autograph 1989 Pro Set Rookie Rc JSA/DNA Certified WIN $1538.45 Join our linker program. "The thing about Derrick was he was as quick as those guys, he had that spin move like a Freeney, but he was powerful enough to go through you. Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. It's also available for basketball, baseball and hockey. What did dinosaurs evolve that eventually allowed them to evolve into birds? Alabama gave up only 2.6 yards per rush in 1988, a figure that would be 3.4 without Thomas' sacks. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Thomas was selected to the Pro Bowl in his first year with the Chiefs and then the next eight years as well. He was dominant on the football field and a pleasure off it. video The Making of Chris Jones: How Chris Became Chris People can talk all they want about Clowney and Myles Garrett and whoever the next so-called star pass-rusher is. The others are LB Cornelius Bennett, seventh in 1986 (winner was Miami QB Vinny Testaverde), and DE Eric Curry, 10th in 1992 (Miami QB Gino Torretta). Thomas, 33, was being transferred from his bed at Jackson Memorial Hospital to a wheelchair for a therapy session when he went into cardio-respiratory arrest and could not be revived, hospital officials said. With Alabama's offense unable to score a touchdown, Thomas and the Crimson Tide defense was the difference in an 8-3 win, holding Penn State to 21 second-half yards. Derrick Thomas was among the future NFL stars selected early in the 1989 NFL draft. 32 Derrick Thomas Position Guard Height 6-4 Weight 185 Class Senior Hometown New York, N.Y. High School St. John's College High School (D.C.) Bio Stats Historical Biography One of three Drexel seniorshas started 90 games and appeared in 93 during his careerenters his final season with 663 career points and 176 assists. Leftfielder, Rightfielder and Centerfielder. Numbers from the double Hall of Fame career of Derrick Thomas: 2 Players who won the Butkus Award as the nation's best linebacker before Thomas received the honor in 1988. Data Provided By May 21, 2014, 4:52 PM. 4 Fumbles returned for TDs by Thomas for the Kansas City Chiefs - third on the NFL career list. "I'll be honest with you, I was a fan of Derrick Thomas. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Located in Waterville, Maine, 90 minutes north of Portland, 60 minutes south of Bangor, and 3.5 hours north of Boston. [2] His father, Air Force Captain and B-52 pilot Robert James Thomas, died during a mission in the Vietnam War. NFL Records. Draft: 1st round, 4th overall of the 1989 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 11:34AM. He was a tremendous athlete, great quickness. Those tell part of the story. Thomas had 18 sacks in 1987, setting an Alabama single-season record that he broke the next year with 27. Those tell part of the story. The accident killed his close friend Michael Tellis and left the other passenger hospitalized. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. . Forget about the football aspect of it. He would later call that play the one play in his career he wished he could have a second chance at. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Alabama 4 pick in the 1989 NFL Draft - UCLA QB Troy Aikman, taken No. [Tied for 3rd] Most Sacks, Game - 4.0 (vs. Buffalo, Oct. 7, 1991; vs. San Diego, Nov. 8, 1992) Derrick Thomas had 126.5 sacks over his career. He played his entire 11-year career for the Chiefs after being drafted fourth overall in the 1989 NFL Draft. AB AVG HR RBI SB OPS; 8.500: 0: 2: 0: High School: Roswell HS (Roswell, GA), School: University of Memphis (Memphis, TN), More Derrick Thomas Pages at Baseball Reference, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 1:07PM. . Two fumbles recovered, was the Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009. In the 11 years that Thomas anchored the defense, the Chiefs finished first or second in the AFC West ten times, made seven playoff appearances, and won three division titles. It's appropriate that he takes his place beside the other two great Kansas City Hall of Fame linebackers who are here, Bobby Bell and Willie Lanier. After every drill, Derrick would come back and give us that smile that unbelievable smile and say, coach, what else would you like to see? I said, let's see some more. Or write about sports? Like so many others, he couldn't believe it. Thats how Ill always remember him., Twenty years after his death, Thomas is still remembered fondly by family and friends. In his rookie season, Thomas collected 10 sacks and he forced three fumbles. Iron Bowl Flashback: Bear Bryant Notches Record-Setting 315th Win, Crazy Fans are Everywhere, But This Guy Will Forever Be Alabama's Greatest. 3 Safeties scored by Thomas for the Kansas City Chiefs - fourth on the NFL career list. "When it happened," Shell said, "the hit, I saw a spark.". Each of them had a story to tell about the weakside linebacker from Miami, the son of an Air Force captain and the pioneer of a new breed of defenders. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. And his ability to cover. So, he started this reading program. SEC Performances: Derrick Thomas vs Penn State from Seth Bradley on Vimeo. Alabama fans have voted you the best football player in program history. All Drafted Players. 1 by the Dallas Cowboys; Michigan State OT Tony Mandarich, taken No. After the game, all DT could think about was that sack he didn't get. Thomas had 10 or more sacks in a season seven times and recorded multi-sack games 27 times during his 169-game career. 7 More sacks in his second-best collegiate season for Thomas than any other Alabama player has had in one year. While all eyes may have been on Joe Montana and Steve Young in a key regular season match-up between the Chiefs and 49ers in 1994, it was Thomas' three sacks that propelled the Chiefs to a 24-17 win. The news left players and coaches stunned. He would size you up and put you down. One drill, after another drill, after another. And he drilled him with all the defensive back drills that he knew. Thomas, the co-pilot of Charcoal 01, the first B-52 shot down during Operation Linebacker II", "NFF Proudly Announces Impressive 2014 College Football Hall of Fame Class", "Derrick Thomas, Combine Results, OLB - Alabama", "Derrick Thomas elected to Hall of Fame. It's a real nightmare when there's a player like that on the other team.". Join our linker program. "I lived it, but to think about that, nobody does that kind of stuff. I'll tell you the story about a young Bill Cowher and Marty. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 6:17AM. [16] Thomas and one of the passengers were not wearing seat belts and both were thrown from the car; the passenger, Michael Tellis, was killed instantly. ", was an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). Then on on the snap of the ball we'll drop him into coverage. [2nd] Most Touchdowns on Fumble Recoveries, Career - 4 Total Zone Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. These Derrick Henry . Dr. Barth Green of the Miami Project said Thomas has several fractures in his cervical (neck) and thoracic (chest) spine. Thomas' performance broke the school single-game record of six that he had set exactly two months earlier against Kentucky. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. I can imagine such a pride that you'd feel as a player to receive this honor. For me, the definition of a Pro Football Hall of Famer is that he must be a game changer particularly on the defensive side of the ball. The Chiefs lost in overtime 41-38. inMiami,FL, Died: Derrick Thomas weighed 243 lbs (110 kg) when playing. On Jan. 23, 2000, Thomas and two friends were en route to Kansas City International Airport to fly to St. Louis to watch the NFC Championship Game between the St. Louis Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Remembering Derrick Thomas. Nick Bromberg. It would seem crazy when they were on defense. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Worchester State's Russ Watson is also tied with Suggs, regardless of division, with 24 sacks of his own at the Division III level in 2000. It was a great day for everyone. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Established in 1894. Two of his children still live here. In 1988, a figure that would be 3.4 without Thomas ' performance broke the school record! To concoct a game plan for Thomas next year with the fourth pick of those takeaways Counseling ; Counseling... Property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC left the other passenger hospitalized I can imagine such a that... 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