In the shadow of the Super Bowl 50, the Kansas City Chiefs enjoy quite a bit of taxpayer subsidy and so their rhetorical efforts need to be scrutinized.
While most social media denizens debate the temper tantrum thrown by Cam Newton after a devastating Super Bowl loss, let's focus on a far more beloved and legendary athlete.
Without question, Derrick Thomas was one of the greatest players to ever put on a Kansas City Chiefs uniform.
But the context of his tragic demise is often overlooked
From the world's most accurate encyclopedia . . .
"On January 23, 2000, Thomas' 1999 Chevrolet Suburban went off Interstate 435 as he and two passengers were driving to Kansas City International Airport during a snowstorm for a flight to St. Louis to watch the NFC Championship Game. Police reports indicated that Thomas, who was driving, was speeding at approximately 100 m.p.h. even though snow and ice were accumulating on the roadway. Thomas continued weaving erratically through traffic until the time of the accident. Thomas and one of the passengers were not wearing seat belts and both were thrown from the car; the passenger was killed instantly. The second passenger, who was wearing his safety belt, walked away from the scene uninjured. Thomas was left paralyzed from the chest down. By early February, Thomas was being treated at Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital. The morning of February 8, 2000, while being transferred from his hospital bed to a wheelchair on his way to therapy, Thomas told his mother he was not feeling well. His eyes then rolled back, recalled Frank Eismont, an orthopedic surgeon at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Eismont said Thomas went into cardio-respiratory arrest and died as a result of a pulmonary embolism, a massive blood clot that developed in his paralyzed lower extremities and traveled through his venous system to his lungs. Months later, Thomas' family sued General Motors for $73 million in damages stemming from the accident that Thomas caused. In 2004 a jury ruled that the family was not entitled to any money."
From all perspectives . . .
The Chiefs: Remembering Derrick Thomas (1967-2000)
New York Times: Thomas Is Remembered For His Heart and Drive
AL.com: Derrick Thomas: The short life and extraordinary times of an Alabama and NFL great
Gunaxin Sports: Derrick Thomas - 7 kids by 5 women at the time of his death at age 33 in 2000. Thomas left no will, and his children’s mothers filed suit with the probate court for a share of his $1.16 million in assets, touching off a lengthy court battle.
CJ Online: Jury rejects family of Derrick Thomas' claims
KC Biz Journal: Closing of Derrick Thomas Academy leaves legal mess
Fox4KC: Son of a Hall of Famer, Derrion Thomas carries on father’s legacy of hard work
You decide . . .
Derrick left 7 kids between 5 women. I wonder if there was anything left of his money with the fighting over his worldly possession?
ReplyDeleteAnyone know?
Regardless he lived the black culture lifestyle and he died it also.
Yep when he wasn't turning out bastard yard apes he played a little football. He was no Alex Smith though.
ReplyDeleteHe was ok on the field, but as most black people, he was a total disaster in life.
ReplyDeleteokay? he was better than the whole defense today. but as a father, he obviously sucked.
ReplyDeleteEven the Derrick Thomas academy wasn't enough to educate all his illegitimate kids. Hopefully they will learn to at least wear their seat belts
ReplyDeleteByron will forgive him.
ReplyDelete^^^^^^^^^^ He was a good guy, had his faults but overall he did a lot of good for a lot of people.
ReplyDeletenot really ^^^^^^^
ReplyDeleteThe 3rd & long foundation has donated millions in scholarships, they have held a thanksgiving food drive for more than 12 years and they help with school lunches. What have you done for anybody but bitch on the Internet 11:21?
ReplyDelete11:29 I didn't produce kids I couldn't take care of. 3rd & long foundation is broke. Check it asshole.
ReplyDeleteCut and paste, and bring on the barrage of hate.
ReplyDeleteTony's TKC, aka misery incarnate.
Find a valentine who appreciates endless whining yet, Tony?
why do they still treat this guy like he's a saint?
ReplyDeleteI am guessing that when his estate was all settled that they all ended up with about $5000 a piece. They then promptly wasted it. If one of them have a red cent left, I would be surprised.
ReplyDeleteAll of the she-boons and dey niglets be scrappin' over dat money like hyenas over a dead gazelle.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet 12:42 is still here.
ReplyDeleteThe answer, 1:19 is because he was a NIGGER. Nothing more.
ReplyDeleteanyone who is DT's son won the genetic lottery and should do fine.
ReplyDeleteI remember going to his casket viewing at arrowhead in the sleet. In a way a little bit of the organization died that day and never came back.
Just 27 coons to go and maybe none of them will come back. The NFL might not do much about concussions, but they know how to unionize coons.
ReplyDelete