10 greatest Kansas City Chiefs of all time

3. OLB Derrick Thomas

When it came to turning the corner, getting after the quarterback and stripping him of the football, few players in NFL history have ever done it better than outside linebacker Derrick Thomas. He was part of a fabulous 1989 draft class in which four of the first five selections wound up in Canton, Ohio.

That includes Thomas, the former University of Alabama standout who was chosen fourth overall by the Kansas City Chiefs and would go on to terrorize opposing signal-callers with his quickness and ability to relieve them of the football.

The future Pro Football Hall of Famer was a nine-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro in only 11 NFL seasons. Sadly, Thomas passed away shortly after the 1999 NFL season due to the after effects of an auto accident (via the Washington Post’s Mark Maske). But 10 years later, he would get the much-deserved call from the Hall.

He played in 169 regular-season contests and amassed an impressive 126.5 sacks and 41 forced fumbles. He also came up with 19 fumble recoveries and took back four those miscues for scores. Thomas’ forte was not pass coverage and he finished his amazing career with only one interception and that came in his final season in the league. But when it came to rushing the passer, few have ever done it better.