Derrick Thomas Career NFL Stats 1989-1999 |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G |
SOLOTKL |
AST TKL |
COMB TKL |
SACKS |
INT |
INT TD |
FF |
FR |
FRTD |
| 169 |
272 |
42 |
641 |
126.5 |
1 |
0 |
41 |
19 |
4 |
Derrick Vincent Thomas was born on January 1, 1967 in Miami, FL. He was the son of Edith Morgan and Robert James Thomas. Growing up in Miami wasn’t easy for Thomas. His father had passed away when he was very young. As he got older, Thomas made some bad choices and often got into trouble. He had been sent away as a juvenile for committing some crimes. However, he didn’t let his mistakes define his life. He overcame those struggles and became one of the best defensive players of his era. Derrick Vincent Thomas was born on January 1, 1967 in Miami, FL. He was the son of Edith Morgan and Robert James Thomas. Growing up in Miami wasn’t easy for Thomas. His father had passed away when he was very young. As he got older, Thomas made some bad choices and often got into trouble. He had been sent away as a juvenile for committing some crimes. However, he didn’t let his mistakes define his life. He overcame those struggles and became one of the best defensive players of his era.
Before attending South Miami High School, Thomas spent six months at Dade Marine Institute. That was the change Thomas needed. He finally realized the path his life was heading and started to listen and make the necessary changes. Once at South Miami High School Thomas became a force on the field. He earned All-Conference honors during his time there. He played well enough to earn a college scholarship to the University of Alabama.
Derrick Thomas College Career Stats and Notes
Thomas played for Alabama from 1985-88. He was a man playing amongst boys, especially in his senior season. He recorded 52 sacks during his college career, including an NCAA Record 27 in his final season. The Crimson Tide made a bowl appearance in every year he was on the team. Thomas was a consensus All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 1988.
Awards and Achievements |
|
MVP
|
|
All-Pro
|
1st Team: 1990, 1991, 1992 2nd Team: 1993, 1994, 1996 |
Pro Bowl Selections |
1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
|
Defensive Player of the Year Award |
|
Achievements
|
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year 1989 Member of 1990s All-Decade Team |
Derrick Thomas NFL Career Stats and Notes
Thomas was selected 4th overall in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He spent his entire career in KC, earning nine Pro Bowl selections and 3 First Team All-Pro honors. He retired after the 1999 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.
Derrick Thomas NFL Record 7 Sacks in One Game
Thomas had some great seasons during his Hall of Fame career. Right out of college he established himself as a force to be reckoned with as he won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. The following season, he had one of the greatest defensive games in NFL history.
On November 11, 1990, the Chiefs squared off against the Seattle Seahawks at Arrowhead Stadium. It was a long day for Seahawks’ quarterback Dave Krieg. Thomas was in a zone that day. He used his speed, strength and an array of moves to apply pressure all game. Although the Chiefs would lose the game 17-16, it wasn’t because of Thomas. He set an NFL record with seven sacks! He caused a fumble via sack that directly led to a defensive TD. In a league today where pass rushing is a priority and defensive players have more chances to sack the quarterback, it’s a testament to how great a game Thomas had as the record has not been broken or tied 30 years later.