[Kansas City.com] Former Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas was included among 133 preliminary nominees to be inducted in next year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
The list will be cut to 25 next month, and 15 modern-era finalists will be voted on at the Super Bowl. Between four and seven inductees are selected, according to the hall’s ground rules.
Thomas has been a finalist the past four years since becoming eligible in 2005.
Other former Chiefs on the list are safety Deron Cherry, cornerback Albert Lewis, kicker Nick Lowery and defensive end Art Still. Quarterback/coach Tom Flores and defensive end Leslie O’Neal, who spent brief parts of their careers with the Chiefs, also made the list.
I can see them letting in Art Still but I want Derrick Thomas in the hall of fame. Just wish this committee new a little something about great players who would still be the best linebacker in the league if he did not pass away. DT forever.
Comment by justin — October 29, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
Absolutely agree.
Comment by Weezy — October 29, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
We fans need to hit the blogs and make people realize how valuable DT was. Here is a post I made last year on a blog to support DT getting into the HOF.
Here is my arguement for Derrick Thomas to be in the HOF. First is, most non-Chiefs fans believe Lawrence Taylor is the best Defensive Player ever. If that is true, then consider these stats.
DT: 169 games, 126.5 sacks, 3 safeties, 45 FF, 16 FR, 1 INT, best year–20 sacks
LT: 184 games, 132.5 + *9.5 sacks, 0 safeties, 33 FF, 10 FR, 9 INT, best year–20.5 sacks
* His first year in NFL they didn’t count sacks, I will give them to him –142 total
DT: Defensive Rookie of the Year, 9 pro bowls, NFL records–7 sacks one game and 45 forced fumbles, very active in community, 3rd and Long Foundation.
LT: 3 time Defensive Player of the year, 10 pro bowls, NFL records–NONE, community service-drug problems.
To me it is unbelieveable that he isn’t in there already. Chiefs fans need to hit the blogs so people will realize how close his stats are to “the best who ever playedâ€. LT did change how that position was played–but DT played it just as well–I think. What about you?
Comment by Jeff in VA — October 29, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
Jeff and everyone else:
I think DT was just as good if not better than LT you have to rememebr that DT played for the chiefs who never get publicity and LT got tons of publicity in the big apple not to mention that DT’s career was cut short by his death he had another good 3 seasons left in him his last three or four years could have made him the way that tony G is among tight ends today THE BEST THAT EVER PLAYED THE GAME
Comment by Mike41 — October 29, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
Great job listing the stats Jeff, thanks.
Comment by Mark F. — October 29, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
RIP #58!!!
MISS U!!
DT 4 ever!!
Thank you Jeff.
Comment by Tammy H — October 29, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
DT
FOREVER LONG LIVE #58
Comment by Michael Diedrich — October 30, 2008 @ 12:12 pm
The judges are so worried about putting someone is the hall because a sad story as opposed to a great playing career, that they are blinded to the fact that DT has both.
Andy O
Comment by Andy — November 3, 2008 @ 4:32 pm