Football Steve Penn: Derrick Thomas’ son is tackling his own path

**Tribal Warfare** · 06-15-2009, 11:10 PM

Derrick Thomas’ son is tackling his own path
By STEVE PENN
The Kansas City Star

It’s been the Southeastern Conference versus the Big 12. Crimson Tide versus the Tigers. And for Derrion Thomas, the Tigers have the edge.

Thomas, a football standout at Blue Springs South High School, is close to making a decision on which college he’ll attend. The son of the late Kansas City Chief Derrick Thomas had considered the University of Alabama, where his father played. Now he’s strongly leaning toward the University of Missouri.

“It’s the top choice for now,” Thomas said over the weekend. “I’ve had a lot more communication with them. There’s just more of a connection to Missouri.”

Thomas will have a busy summer. While Carl Peterson, the former president and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs, will present the late Derrick Thomas to the Hall of Fame for induction in August, Derrion Thomas will accept the trophy and render his own remarks.

He had started to prepare his speech for Canton, Ohio.

“I haven’t had a chance to finish yet,” Thomas said. “Obviously, I’ll focus on some of his career. The biggest thing for me that I need to focus on is the person that he was. There’s all the misconceptions out there. I think it will be a great opportunity to just clear that up.”

Attorney Kevin Regan has served as a sort of surrogate father to Derrion.

“I love him like a son,” Regan said. “We’ve been tight a long time. If Derrion Thomas goes to the University of Missouri, it will be the university’s gain on a very large scale. This is one squared-away young man. He’s grown up with some very adverse circumstances, with his dad passing in his formative years. Yet he’s been able to overcome that.”

Regan said Derrion has not only survived, he’s excelled in life and in athletics.

“I’ve enjoyed watching him grow up into this wonderful young man,” Regan said.

Thomas would like to study sports marketing at MU. He wants to become a sports agent.

“Football is something I like to do and pursue in college,” Thomas said. “But as far as after that, I’m not really sure.”

Thomas plans on redshirting his first year. He’ll move from defensive end and wide receiver to outside linebacker. He’s 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 208 pounds. He’ll try to put on another 10 to 15 pounds this summer.

As a senior this past football season, he was sometimes dominating. He recorded 15 sacks and guided his team to the 6A state championship game.

At Alabama, he would have been compared to his father. At the University of Missouri, there won’t be any such expectations. At MU, he just has to be Derrion Thomas.

Ultra Peanut · 06-15-2009, 11:54 PM

:3

Quote:

At Alabama, he would have been compared to his father. At the University of Missouri, there won’t be any such expectations.

Um, gonna have to dispute this. At Rutgers or something, maybe this would be true. Maybe.

POND_OF_RED · 06-16-2009, 12:15 AM

This guy has some serious potential. Swam for 3 years (to practice his father's swim move) played one year and had 15 sacks as a 200 pound DE. If he can get into the 230's I think he has the tools to be an outstanding OLB. Tiger fans can only hope he's 1/2 the player his dad was.

CoMoChief · 06-16-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POND_OF_RED

This guy has some serious potential. Swam for 3 years (to practice his father's swim move) played one year and had 15 sacks as a 200 pound DE. If he can get into the 230's I think he has the tools to be an outstanding OLB. Tiger fans can only hope he's 1/2 the player his dad was.

Yup, swimming is a lot like practicing DT's swim move

The DE's on our HS champ team were anywhere from 200-220 lbs.

Ultra Peanut · 06-16-2009, 12:19 AM

SEEEEEEEE

POND_OF_RED · 06-16-2009, 12:31 AM

I agree UP. I don't think anyone has high expectations for him but the comparisons will always be brought up. It's like that for every athlete following his parents footsteps.

InChiefsHeaven · 06-16-2009, 05:31 AM

It's laughable to think that he won't be compared to his father at Missouri...um, hello? His father played for the Chiefs...

Good luck Darrion.

**HemiEd** · 06-16-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

It's laughable to think that he won't be compared to his father at Missouri...um, hello? His father played for the Chiefs...

Good luck Darrion.

The Kansas Chiefs.

Mr. Krab · 06-16-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

It's laughable to think that he won't be compared to his father at Missouri...um, hello? His father played for the Chiefs...

Good luck Darrion.

This

**BossChief** · 06-16-2009, 05:53 AM

Wonder if he still wears Derricks old shoulder pads. I remember reading an article where he was given them and that they fit almost perfectly and he had some amazing games while wearing them.

tomahawk kid · 06-16-2009, 06:58 AM

Interesting.

I follow MU's recruiting pretty closely, and the rumor was that Derrion was headed the JuCo route because of grades.

RJ · 06-16-2009, 06:59 AM

I'm confused. If he's finished high school, as the article states, why hasn't he selected a college yet?

Chief Chief · 06-16-2009, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

I'm confused. If he's finished high school, as the article states, why hasn't he selected a college yet?

Eau contraire, mon ami...

Why has not indeed a college selected HIM?

RJ · 06-16-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Chief

Eau contraire, mon ami...

Why has not indeed a college selected HIM?

Ok.

Why has not indeed a college selected HIM?

Too small? Too slow? Just not very good?

I suppose he could save the school he chooses a scholarship by paying his own way and walking on. But most kids, athletes or not, have picked a college by June.

06-15-2009, 11:10 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $652813	Steve Penn: Derrick Thomas’ son is tackling his own path Derrick Thomas’ son is tackling his own path By STEVE PENN The Kansas City Star It’s been the Southeastern Conference versus the Big 12. Crimson Tide versus the Tigers. And for Derrion Thomas, the Tigers have the edge. Thomas, a football standout at Blue Springs South High School, is close to making a decision on which college he’ll attend. The son of the late Kansas City Chief Derrick Thomas had considered the University of Alabama, where his father played. Now he’s strongly leaning toward the University of Missouri. “It’s the top choice for now,” Thomas said over the weekend. “I’ve had a lot more communication with them. There’s just more of a connection to Missouri.” Thomas will have a busy summer. While Carl Peterson, the former president and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs, will present the late Derrick Thomas to the Hall of Fame for induction in August, Derrion Thomas will accept the trophy and render his own remarks. He had started to prepare his speech for Canton, Ohio. “I haven’t had a chance to finish yet,” Thomas said. “Obviously, I’ll focus on some of his career. The biggest thing for me that I need to focus on is the person that he was. There’s all the misconceptions out there. I think it will be a great opportunity to just clear that up.” Attorney Kevin Regan has served as a sort of surrogate father to Derrion. “I love him like a son,” Regan said. “We’ve been tight a long time. If Derrion Thomas goes to the University of Missouri, it will be the university’s gain on a very large scale. This is one squared-away young man. He’s grown up with some very adverse circumstances, with his dad passing in his formative years. Yet he’s been able to overcome that.” Regan said Derrion has not only survived, he’s excelled in life and in athletics. “I’ve enjoyed watching him grow up into this wonderful young man,” Regan said. Thomas would like to study sports marketing at MU. He wants to become a sports agent. “Football is something I like to do and pursue in college,” Thomas said. “But as far as after that, I’m not really sure.” Thomas plans on redshirting his first year. He’ll move from defensive end and wide receiver to outside linebacker. He’s 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 208 pounds. He’ll try to put on another 10 to 15 pounds this summer. As a senior this past football season, he was sometimes dominating. He recorded 15 sacks and guided his team to the 6A state championship game. At Alabama, he would have been compared to his father. At the University of Missouri, there won’t be any such expectations. At MU, he just has to be Derrion Thomas.
Posts: 42,153

06-16-2009, 12:15 AM	#3
POND_OF_RED The talking stonehead Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Blue Springs, MO Casino cash: $1573146	This guy has some serious potential. Swam for 3 years (to practice his father's swim move) played one year and had 15 sacks as a 200 pound DE. If he can get into the 230's I think he has the tools to be an outstanding OLB. Tiger fans can only hope he's 1/2 the player his dad was.
Posts: 5,739

06-16-2009, 12:19 AM	#5
Ultra Peanut v^V^v^V^v^V^ Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Holland* Casino cash: $10005177	SEEEEEEEE __________________
Posts: 39,518

06-16-2009, 12:31 AM	#6
POND_OF_RED The talking stonehead Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Blue Springs, MO Casino cash: $1573146	I agree UP. I don't think anyone has high expectations for him but the comparisons will always be brought up. It's like that for every athlete following his parents footsteps.
Posts: 5,739

06-16-2009, 05:31 AM	#8
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $3634937	It's laughable to think that he won't be compared to his father at Missouri...um, hello? His father played for the Chiefs... Good luck Darrion. __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
Posts: 25,799

06-16-2009, 05:53 AM	#11
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1634088	Wonder if he still wears Derricks old shoulder pads. I remember reading an article where he was given them and that they fit almost perfectly and he had some amazing games while wearing them.
Posts: 47,161

06-16-2009, 06:58 AM	#12
tomahawk kid Drunk in the Neighborhood Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Beating the War Drums Casino cash: $10001837	Interesting. I follow MU's recruiting pretty closely, and the rumor was that Derrion was headed the JuCo route because of grades.
Posts: 5,974

06-16-2009, 06:59 AM	#13
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9955202	I'm confused. If he's finished high school, as the article states, why hasn't he selected a college yet?
Posts: 14,931