Top 100 all-time Kansas City Chiefs moments: 100-76

CANTON, OH – AUGUST 2: Emmitt Thomas of the Kansas City Chiefs poses with his bust after his induction during the Class of 2008 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 2, 2008 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

87. Emmitt Thomas gets inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame (2008)

Emmitt Thomas is the quintessential Kansas City Chief. His affiliation with the franchise has spanned nearly 50 years. Thomas was among the group of defenders that brought early success to the Kansas City franchise. Playing with a group of Hall of Famers, Thomas had an elite season in 1969.

In the standard 14-game season of the era, he led the entire NFL with nine interceptions and 146 return yards for the season. The season culminated in the Chiefs winning their only championship in franchise history in Super Bowl IV, a game in which Thomas sealed the outcome with an interception to end the game. Five years later, Thomas produced another elite statistical year. In 1974, again in a 14-game season, he reeled in 12 interceptions returned two for touchdowns. Thomas played his entire NFL career in Kansas City, accumulating five Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro choices.

Thomas wasn’t done with the game after retirement. Thomas began coaching in 1980, just two years removed from the field. By 1995, Thomas had elevated himself and became a defensive coordinator in Philadelphia. Thomas spent the next 14 seasons coaching around the league, including 2007 when he was the interim head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. In 2010, Thomas came to the Chiefs as the defensive backs coach for Todd Haley, before staying under head coach Andy Reid. The trip from player to coach for Kansas City has spanned 49 years. Thomas’ induction as validated both the early years of the Chiefs franchise and given them a base to build the future.

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