Chiefs Fans Turn Out to Celebrate Derrick Thomas
July 31, 2009
The celebration of Derrick Thomas’ induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame has begun.
A crowd of more than 700 descended upon the City Market on Friday night for the Derrick Thomas Festival and shared memories of Thomas, the late Chiefs linebacker who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next weekend in Canton, Ohio.
They remembered the good times of how Thomas sacked quarterbacks and delivered sacks of groceries to disadvantaged families during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
And they could not forget their grief of that awful icy day in January 2000, when Thomas suffered crippling injuries in an auto accident that caused his death at 33.
“It does my heart good to see the turnout and the love they had for Derrick,” said Edith Morgan, Thomas’ mother, who made the trip to Kansas City from Miami.
The event also served as a fundraiser for the Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith Third and Long Foundation, the organization Thomas founded nearly 20 years ago that is still helping youngsters overcome illiteracy in economically distressed parts of the community, and the Derrick Thomas Academy, the only school named for an NFL player.
“His foundation is probably what Derrick is most proud of,” said Smith, who has taken over the lead position of the foundation. “So today is a special day for him. I think he’s looking down and smiling.”
Three of Thomas’ children were on hand — son Derrion, who turns 19 on Sunday and will accept Thomas’ bust in Canton next week; daughter Alexa, 13; and son Robert, 11.
“We’re going to represent Kansas City as best as we can,” Derrion told the enthusiastic crowd. “I want to thank you for all the support over the years. I know a lot of you were at the games and were big fans.”
Thomas totaled 126 1/2 sacks during his NFL career, ninth in league history at the time of his death. He led the Chiefs to the playoffs seven times, and was a nine-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.
But it was his commitment to the community, which earned him the prestigious NFL Man of the Year award in 1993, that struck a chord with most people.
Councilman John Sharp, representing the City Council, handed Thomas’ mother a copy of a proclamation from City Hall that recognized Thomas’ contributions to the disadvantaged.
“There are a lot of folks who get a whole lot, but some don’t give it back,” Sharp said, “and there are some who give back to the community, but once they’re gone, it kind of all ends. And there are a few people, and Derrick Thomas was one of those few, that even after his passing, his giving back to the community continues, through the Third and Long Foundation. That is extraordinary.”
Several former Chiefs, including Ed Budde, Ted McKnight, Larry Marshall and teammates of Thomas’— Tim Grunhard, Danan Hughes, Dan Saleaumua, Anthony Davis and Smith — attended and signed autographs and mingled with the fans.
“This event and the way the support has been for Derrick Thomas is just another shining example of how much the community loves the Chiefs, how much they love the players, and it’s not just what you do on Sunday, and how you impact the game, but it’s more about how you impact the community and leave a legacy,” Hughes said.
“When I think of Derrick Thomas and I hear people talk about Derrick, they just love the things he’s done through the Third and Long Foundation and Derrick Thomas Academy. That legacy will live on far longer than anything he did on the field.”
Former Chiefs president Carl Peterson, who drafted Thomas with the fourth pick of the 1989 draft and will present Thomas in the induction ceremonies, just returned from Canton, where he attended a USA Football summit for youth football coaches. When Peterson visited the Hall of Fame’s gift shop, he was impressed by what he heard.
“They told me Derrick Thomas merchandise is outselling the other five inductees combined,” Peterson said. “More than Bruce Smith … more than Rod Woodson …
“That tells me that people still love him, and I’m hopeful that will materialize in a very nice turnout of Chiefs and Derrick Thomas fans in Canton next weekend.”
Denny Thum, who replaced Peterson as the club’s president, returned to Kansas City for the celebration after spending one day in River Falls, Wis., for the start of training camp.
“It’s been a long time coming that Derrick will finally have his day and be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Thum said, “but Derrick meant so much not only to the Chiefs organization, but also to the fans of Kansas City and to the community, and the turnout tonight reaffirmed that.”
from Kansas City.com
