25 best NFL players of all time from the SEC
By John Buhler
Derrick Thomas
Outside Linebacker, Alabama Crimson Tide
Derrick Thomas was a pass-rushing behemoth both collegiately for the Alabama Crimson Tide and professional for the Kansas City Chiefs. He is enshrined in both the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta and in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
Thomas was a nine-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro in his 11-year NFL career with the Chiefs. He, unfortunately, passed away at age 33 in a car accident in Kansas City in 2000. His untimely death has elevated Thomas into the mythical pantheon as a football player.
Thomas had 126.5 career quarterback sacks, including an NFL-record seven in one game against the Seattle Seahawks. He had 601 career tackles, 41 assists, 41 forced fumbles, 19 fumble recoveries and three safeties in his illustrious NFL career.
While he exited his prime in his early 30s, Thomas was the best outside linebacker in football during the 1990s. He was about as explosive coming off the edge as any player in football history. Thomas was a dominant player every time he took to the gridiron, whether that was for the Chiefs or the Crimson Tide.