10 years after DT - another great Josh Looney article

[InChiefsHeaven]

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2010/02...years_later/EN YEARS LATER
February 8th – 6:11 AM

While most of the country reflects on yesterday’s Super Bowl, the Chiefs Kingdom turns their attention today towards a man who carries a gridiron legacy of his own: Derrick Vincent Thomas.

Today marks the 10-year anniversary of Thomas’ tragic passing at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida.

From the program at Thomas funeral services on February 15, 2000 in Kansas City

January 1, 1967, as the fireworks graced the skies off a new year, a unique star entered the universe…Derrick Vincent Thomas. The spirit of Edith Belim and Robert James Thomas came together in this baby boy, 7lbs, 11oz – a child of destiny, determination and strength.

Derrick was educated in the Dade County Public School System. He also attended Dade Marine Institute where he learned scuba and deep sea diving, as well as other life skills. He excelled in this program, completing it in record time.

Derrick graduated in 1985 from South Miami High School where he lettered in wrestling and football.

Derrick received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Here, he far exceeded anyone’s expectations. He became one of the all-time greatest linebackers in Alabama team history. In 1989, he was a number one draft pick for the Kansas City Chiefs.

In Kansas City, he excelled on the field as well as off. In 1990, he founded The Derrick Thomas Third and Long Reading Club designed to help battle illiteracy in inner-city children ages 9-13.

Through his philanthropy and goodwill, Derrick went on to attain numerous awards including the 1998 NFL Man of the Year Award as well as the Byron “Whizzer” White Humanitarian Award.

In March 1997, Derrick rededicated himself to Christ and was baptized at the Greater Pentecostal Temple of Kansas City, Kansas.

Derrick Departed this life on February 8, 2000 at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida.

He is survived by his mother Edith Morgan, Grandmothers Annie Adams and Mamie Thomas, Stepmother Earlyne Thomas and “Godmothers” Maxine Byrd, Kathy Keller and Miriam Williams, “Father” Carl “Dad” Peterson and “Godfather” Ray “Pops” Keller, children Burgandie and Derrick Jr. of Miami, FL, Derrion, Derrius, Robert and Micayla of Kansas City, MO, and Alexa of Lawrence, KS. Four sisters, Yolanda Thomas, Cherralyn (Willie) Browner and Taneathia Morgan all of Miami, FL and Carmen Thomas of St. Louis, MO. Five brothers, Johnovan, Gregory and Demetrius Morgan all of Miami, FL. Tyrone Morgan of Atlanta, GA and Tewellis L. Cox of Kansas City, MO. One great-grandmother, Julia Belim and a host of aunts, uncles, relatives and friends. Derrick is also survived by Rosemary (Charles) Newbold, a special aunt, who was also there with him ‘til the end.

Derrick Vincent Thomas
Kickoff: January 1, 1967
Final Whistle: February 8, 2000

This letter was written by Derrick Thomas on Sunday, February 6, 2000

I wish that there were enough words in the human language to express my sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks for all of the well wishes, cards, letters, words of encouragement and prayers that I have received. I would also like to thank everyone who has made donations to my Third and Long Foundation, as well as anyone who has made a donation on my behalf to Spinal Cord Injury Research.

I wish that I could thank each and every one of you individually, but that would be nearly impossible.

I would also like everyone to know that I am going to be just fine. Please continue to keep me in your prayers, because an old friend of mine has told me, “When prayers go up, blessings are sure to come down.”

Sincerely,
Derrick Thomas

*Sorry if repost...