Righting A Wrong: Derrick Thomas Inducted Into College Football Hall Of Fame.... Finally

I can now lift my boycott on visiting the the new College Football Hall of Fame in the ATL.  Until today, I couldn't even take them seriously.  How could you after snubbing Derrick Thomas???  Of course, The University of Alabama should be accustomed to the tradition of overlooking some of the greatest college football players EVVA.  Joe Namath, Kenny Stabler, Antonio Langham, Bob Baumhower, & Shaun Alexander are still waiting for their induction.

However, after being eligible for 16 years, Derrick Thomas has finally been inducted!  One of the best defensive players of my generation has finally gotten the respect he deserved long ago.  In 1988, he got over twice as many sacks as Brodie Croyle suffered during a single game in 2005.


The list of awards Thomas acquired during his time at The Capstone is actually pretty damn impressive:
  • 1988~ SEC Defensive Player of the Year
  • 1988~ Dick Butkus Award
  • 1988~ Finished 10th in Heisman voting behind names such as Barry Sanders, Troy Aikman, & Deion Sanders.
  • 7 career blocked kicks
  • 4th pick in the 1989 NFL draft to the Kansas City Chiefs
Oh... And those are just some highlights.  My personal favorite Derrick Thomas accolade is his friendship with Hank Williams, Jr.  The country singer even wrote a song in tribute to his friend after Thomas lost his life after complications resulting from a car accident:

"Now Derrick Thomas was a champion no one can deny that
He led the Alabama Crimson Tide in all-time total sacks
But his heart was even bigger than all his natural skill
He always helped kids in the city and you know what
I think he always will"

Thomas was described as humble & generous by all who had the good fortune of knowing him.  Hearing about Derrick the person will quickly remind you that he was much more than a beast on the football field.   He wanted to make a difference in the world.  After being drafted to Kansas City, he began the Third And Long Foundation to 'sack illiteracy'.  Sadly, in January of 2000, Thomas lost control of his SUV on an icy road in Kansas City.  Paralyzed from the waist down, Derrick Thomas left this world less than a month later on February 7th from a pulmonary embolism.

People often ask me why I love Alabama football so much...  Derrick Thomas is one of those reasons. I'm a proud Bammer tonight knowing he's finally got the recognition he's deserved since 1998.  Better late than never....

Roll Tide!!!  Roll Derrick!!!




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  1. Mahek6/05/2014

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