The Kansas City Chiefs selected linebacker Derrick Thomas as the fourth player overall in the 1989 National Football League Draft.
The Kansas City Chiefs selected linebacker Derrick Thomas as the fourth player overall in the 1989 National Football League Draft.
In only his second season, he recorded a league-leading and team record 20 sacks.
That total included an NFL record seven sacks in a game versus the Seattle Seahawks on November 11, 1990.
Thomas earned his first All-Pro recognition for his efforts during the 1990 season. He would achive the honor two more times during his career.
Thomas' lone interception, which he returned for 20 yards, came during his final season in 1999.
Thomas also forced 45 fumbles, had 19 fumble recoveries, scored four touchdowns on fumble returns and added three safeties.
Thomas, a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s, was named first-team All-AFC seven times during an eight-year stretch from 1989 through 1996.
In the 11 years that Thomas anchored the defense, the Chiefs finished first or second in the AFC West ten times, made seven playoff appearances, and won three division titles.
Thomas earned 9 consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl (1990-98).