Marcus On D.T.
From NFL.com
(Editor’s note: Derrick Thomas spent nine of his 11 years in the NFL playing with and against Marcus Allen — first as division foes and later as teammates from 1993 to 1997 with the Kansas City Chiefs. Allen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003; Thomas, who died in 2000 at the age of 33, will now join him when he is enshrined on Aug. 8 in Canton, Ohio.)
Derrick,
I would like to welcome you to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a place where the legends of the game reside in perpetuity for their exploits on the field — for being the very best of all the football players that have ever graced the gridiron.
You were an exceptional talent — one of the most explosive players that I have ever had the chance to play with as well as to play against. You struck fear in the heart of every left tackle that you ever lined up against. I am certain that every time an opponent played the Kansas City Chiefs, you were No. 1 as far as their preparation was concerned. Because if Derrick Thomas had a field day, like you normally did, then your opponent was going to lose.
I think a lot of people would look at your seven-sack performance against the Seattle Seahawks as a moment that exemplifies your career. But I know that one game certainly doesn’t define you as a football player.
I will always remember you as a teammate who every time you laced it up, I knew you were going to give me and the rest of our team your best performance — a dominating performance. Not only did you elevate the defense, you lifted the stadium through your play. I remember a sea of red being brought to their feet just by the mere lifting of your arms. You motivated the crowd, raised the whole level of the defense, and inspired the offense with your play.
When you came off the edge you wreaked absolute havoc on the opposing offense. The explosiveness with which you played and how fast you got to the ball continuously changed the momentum of the game. That’s what I remember most about playing with and against you.
It is the highest individual honor in professional football to be selected to the Hall of Fame. It is a feeling that leaves you in awe when you reflect on the amount of players that have played this game. To distinguish yourself among all others leaves you with a feeling of gratitude. I am honored to be a part of a group that now considers you one of its distinguished members.
Derrick, congratulations. Even though your stay on this earth was a brief one, you impacted people on and off the field and left a tremendous legacy that you and your family should be extremely proud of. Your name will be synonymous with the game forever.
Marcus
Amen
ok…
Thomas enshrinement not so much daddy-o as Rin but reasonable, one supposes - least one more Chief be added to the honor role.
It’s hard not to wonder how many sacks and forced fumbles Derrick would have had had he not met such an unfortunate end. I truly believe he would have had near 200 sacks and 70-75 forced fumbles and would probably be regarded as the best pure pass rusher of all time. It’s fantastic that he has been enshrined as it’s always a marvelous occasion when a Chiefs goes into Canton.
Colby, I always had thought the same thing. If he had been able to live a full life, more people would have recognized him and he WOULD be the best, even above LT. I think out DT was better than LT anyway in my book
What a wonderful tribute to Derrick.
Well said Mr. Allen.
“…would probably be regarded as the best pure pass rusher of all time.”
Not to mention…would Gun have been head coach on a playoff team…or if Vermeil took over with DT58…would there be another Lamar Hunt trophy (or dare say…Lombardi Trophy) at One Arrowhead Drive?
Derrick Thomas made me believe in the KC Chiefs again. He became the face of the franchise almost from day one. I bought my first official Chiefs jersey because of him. (was expensive then, because I had 4 growing kids at the time). He was the reason I could’nt miss a game, or for that matter a single play. He made everybody on the team play better. A man with great work ethics & just created a high octane energy that was contagious in the locker room & on the field.
Almost single handily turned Arrowhead into a magical & intimidating arena.
His personal philanthropy of time, money & dedication to the young, the hungry, the poor & the illiterate is legendary. A bright spirit that will transcend for years to come.
He left KC a better place than when he arrived & absolutely nobody can argue that.
I miss him, & his never ending smile.
Canton Ohio will now be a better place.
Not really anything to add to Marcus’ letter. It pretty much says it all. Very well done.
And once again thanks to Mr. Bob Gretz for playing a big part in getting DT where he belongs, in the HOF. There was no one better for the job.
Indianapolis Colts First downs 27 Rushes - yards 32 - 142 Pass 22 - 30 - 292 yards 0 INT Sacked - yards lost 1 - 12 Punts 0 - 0.0 Fumbles - lost 0 - 0
Final score 38-31 (Indy)
Would these numbers be different if #58 was on the field on this day? I think so.
Marcus Allen was and is a class act. I’m glad the Chiefs got him for 5 years of his remarkable NFL career. Well said, #32. Well said.
Good point Scott,
THANK YOU MR GRETZ FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN FROM ALL OF US TRUE FANS!!!!!!!
Nice job BobGretz for your patient work in presenting the worthy case of DT58 - even when other sportswriters were publishing their votes against and their comments concerning him in the national media.
I was pleased just to be hearing from one of my favorite players, Marcus Allen. Only thing, Marcus, is I hate the word “wreaked.” I prefer “wrought” as in “What hath God wrought?” from the first recorded telephone call. Might’ve been the telegraph. Anyway, “wreaked” has an odor that “wrought” doesn’t. :o)
I’m not sure about DT58’s numbers for the rest of his career. His last couple years under Gun had him lined up in a 3-point stance, which was NOT the best thing for DT58. That D would’ve been better with a pair of REAL bookend DEs _PLUS_ Derrick Thomas roaming like a tiger back ‘n’ forth before the snap, threatening to flood the A, B and C gap ALL AT THE SAME TIME, causing FITS (and false starts) on the offensive front, just by his PRESENCE.
Thomas was STILL effective as a DE, drawing the doubleteam virtually EVERY down, but in the 3-point stance, offenses could plan how to stop him a lot more easily, and take him out of the game, figuring the expenditure of the extra hat was worth it.
Derrick Thomas the best pass rusher? Ever? Heh heh heh hilarious!
He wasn’t even the best pass rusher in KC Chiefs history; that he had more QB sacks than any other player here is as saying a Henry Marshall was the best wide receiver because he caught more passes than any other (Marshall couldn’t carry the real #89’s shoes - Otis Taylor; neither could a Jerry Rice carry Taylor’s shoes but that’s for another blog.)
David ‘Deacon’ Jones - Bobby Bell - Rich Jackson - even Kevin Greene who played in Thomas era- all of them were better than KC’s newest nominal HOFr; Thomas ‘was’ “one of” the best of his era.
Thomas wasn’t the complete player that a Lawrence Taylor was either. Thomas probably does belong in the HOF as Rin stated earlier, but Thomas doesn’t compare with the best ever, his failure to crack even the top 10 all time list affirming, woulda, coulda & shoulda a losers lament.
Thomas is - as most the modern day over hypes - a media creation more so than the equal yesteryears best.
daddy-o
Nice words from Marcus Allen, a class act.
And nice post Rin.