Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid pays tribute to franchise legend Derrick Thomas on the 24th anniversary of his death
Kansas City Chiefs legend Derrick Thomas has been on fans' minds leading up to Super Bowl 58. Feb. 8, 2024 marks 24 years to the day that Thomas tragically passed away. He meant the world to the franchise and fanbase. In a time when they didn't have a Patrick Mahomes or a Travis Kelce, Thomas […]
Kansas City Chiefs legend Derrick Thomas has been on fans' minds leading up to Super Bowl 58.
Feb. 8, 2024 marks 24 years to the day that Thomas tragically passed away. He meant the world to the franchise and fanbase. In a time when they didn't have a Patrick Mahomes or a Travis Kelce, Thomas was the face of the franchise and a vaunted 1990s Chiefs defense. He accumulated more than 126 sacks over his career and still holds the NFL single-game sack record (7).
Beyond the anniversary of his death, Thomas is in the minds of the Chiefs Kingdom because of his jersey number, 58.
"Let's win Super Bowl 58 for No. 58," fans have roared on social media.
Andy Reid pays tribute to Chiefs legend Derrick Thomas
Speaking to media members ahead of Super Bowl LVIII, Chiefs HC Andy Reid was asked about Thomas on the anniversary of death. The reporter told Reid about the fact the team was playing Super Bowl 58 and Thomas wore the No. 58, a thought that hadn't yet occurred to Reid.
"I hadn't thought about the 58 with DT, but what a great player he was," Reid said.
The veteran head coach was also able to recall a specific memory of having coached against Thomas in Week 11 of the 1996 NFL season. That occurred while he was the quarterbacks coach and assistant head coach with the Green Bay Packers.
"When I was in Green Bay we had a chance to come back and play the Chiefs," Reid said. "I remember (Packers WR) Don Beebe running a shallow cross and (Derrick Thomas) hit him so hard that he landed in the quarterback's lap. He was a great one."
It's not surprising to hear this in the slightest. As much as Thomas is remembered for his pass-rushing prowess — and he had two sacks in that 27-20 win over the Packers — he was an all-around football player. He was a Hall of Famer and undoubtedly one of the greatest to ever walk onto the gridiron at Arrowhead Stadium.
Thomas is never far from the mind of the Chiefs Kingdom, but just days after the anniversary of his death, they're all hoping that Thomas will be watching over the team and rooting them on as they compete against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
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