“On the field accolades are great, but in order to reach your full potential, you have to overstep the boundaries of football and go out into the community and be an All-Pro there too.” This is a story about a kid who grew up in Miami and turned into one of the greatest linebackers of all time. Sadly he was taken from us too early in an awful turn of events. This is a story about the great Derrick Thomas.

College Career

Derrick Thomas went to The University of Alabama. Derrick Thomas played linebacker in college, where he. He was 10th in the Heisman vote in 1988. After a great college career, Derrick Thomas went 4th overall in the 1989 draft to the Kansas City Chiefs. Derrick Thomas set the single season sack record during his college career with 27 sacks.

NFL Career

After Derrick Thomas was taken 4th overall, he went on to win 1989 rookie of the year. Derrick Thomas had one of the best careers a linebacker can have. He went to 9 pro bowls. He won 2 all-pros, all 90’s team, and the 1993 walter payton award. He was also inducted into the Hall Of Fame. He could’ve gotten more awards but he was in a tragic accident.

Untimely Death

On January 23rd 2000, Derrick Thomas was in an awful car accident that put him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. The rest of his life wasn’t very long though because on February 8th 2000 Derrick Thomas passed away in the hospital after going into cardio-respiratory arrest. Derrick Thomas was only 33 years old when he died. He was also still an active NFL player.

Although Derrick Thomas died at a young age he was still one of the best of all-time. The Chiefs retired Derrick Thomas’s number and his name is in the ring at Arrowhead Stadium. Derrick Thomas was taking too early; he didn’t even get to finish his career.

Click this link to look at more information about Derrick Thomas’s amazing career
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomDe01.htm