Fansided

10 best Alabama alumni in NFL history

By Russell S. Baxter

Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr (15) looks downfield during Super Bowl I, a 35-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on January 15, 1967, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by James Flores/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr (15) looks downfield during Super Bowl I, a 35-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on January 15, 1967, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by James Flores/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Todd Marinovich is hit hard by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas during the Raiders 10-6 loss to the Chiefs in the 1991 AFC Wild Card Playoff Game on December 28, 1991 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Marinovich had 12 completions in 23 attempts for 140 yards and 4 interceptions in the game. (Photo by Mitchell Reibel/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Todd Marinovich is hit hard by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas during the Raiders 10-6 loss to the Chiefs in the 1991 AFC Wild Card Playoff Game on December 28, 1991 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Marinovich had 12 completions in 23 attempts for 140 yards and 4 interceptions in the game. (Photo by Mitchell Reibel/Getty Images) /

5. Derrick Thomas

The 1989 NFL Draft produced four Pro Football Hall of Famers in the first five selections. The Dallas Cowboys opted for UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman with the first overall selection. Number two was Michigan State tackle Tony Mandarich, who wound up the exception and not the rule here. He wasn’t a total bust but was still wound up a major disappointment for the Green Bay Packers.

The Detroit Lions opted for running back Barry Sanders at No. 3 and the Atlanta Falcons grabbed defensive back Deion Sanders fifth overall. Of course, at the fourth slot was University of Alabama linebacker Derrick Thomas, selected by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Thomas did two things extremely well. Getting to the opposing quarterback and knocking the ball out of his hands. He racked up 126.5 sacks and 41 forced fumbles in 169 regular-season contests. Oddly enough, he managed only one interception and that came in his final season. The 6-foot-3, 243-pound performer was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first nine seasons and earned All-Pro honors in both 1990 and 1991.

Thomas’ life was cut short two weeks after being involved in a car accident. He made an incredible impression during his 11 NFL seasons. He was enshrined in Canton, Ohio, in 2009.

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