Saturday, Derrick Thomas was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, posthumously. Despite the jubilation associated with such an event, Derrick Thomas' death still haunts Kansas City Chiefs fans.
Derrick Thomas' death was a shock. He was still a young man, and still a great player, at the age of 33, when he died as a result of a car accident.
Thomas was driving a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban that went off Interstate 435 during a snowstorm on January 23rd, 2000. He was ejected from his car, left paralyzed from the waist down, and later died at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
Speaking at the induction ceremony in Derrick Thomas's stead, former Chiefs president Carl Peterson said:
"For all Derrick Thomas fans, the light has gone back on. Today, Derrick Thomas joins the company of the finest who have ever played the game of professional football. It's appropriate he takes his place besides the two great Kansas City linebackers, who are here, Bobby Bell and Willie Lanier. I know the other Chiefs Hall of Famers here, and some have passed, welcome Derrick also."
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009 also included, besides Derrick Thomas, Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith, Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr., Pittsburgh cornerback Rod Woodson, Minnesota offensive guard Randall McDaniel and Dallas Cowboys receiver Bob Hayes, who was also inducted posthumously.
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