Mr. Elway, meet Mr. Thomas (AP file photo)
In a move that leaves 99% of Chiefs fans asking, “What took so long?” the Kansas City Chiefs have announced that the team will retire Derrick Thomas’ #58 jersey number in a special ceremony during halftime of the December 6 game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead.
The late linebacker will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer during ceremonies held on August 8-9.
One can only hope that the Chiefs can maybe talk Bronco legend and fellow Hall-of-Famer, John Elway, into participating that day since Thomas sacked Elway more than any other quarterback during his outstanding career. And, pretty much every Chiefs fan of a certain age can remember the game where Thomas “called his shot” against Elway and the Broncos, when Derrick decided to whip the crowd up late in the game … put his hands together over his head to signal a safety during a critical defensive stand … and then proceeded to sack Elway for a safety on the very next play!
When Thomas’ jersey is retired, he will join nine other Chiefs who have had their numbers retired. Those nine are, Jan Stenerud (3), quarterback Len Dawson (16), cornerback Emmitt Thomas (18), running backs Abner Haynes (28), Stone Johnson (33) and Mack Lee Hill (36), linebackers Willie Lanier (63) and Bobby Bell (78) and defensive tackle Buck Buchanan (86).
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