Top 100 all-time Kansas City Chiefs moments: 25-1

KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 13: Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Troy Aikman is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs’ linebacker Derrick Thomas for a loss of three during the end of the second quarter of the Chiefs 20-17 win 13 December in Kansas City. (Photo credit should read DAVID KAUP/AFP/Getty Images)

6. Chiefs Draft Derrick Thomas (1989)

Derrick Thomas was drafted with the fourth-overall pick by Kansas City in 1989, a decision that would impact the Chiefs and the rest of the AFC West for years to come. Thomas was instantly a force on Kansas City’s defense as he contributed 10 sacks in his rookie year. Kansas City had added a wealth of talent to their defense as they had just drafted defensive end Neil Smith the year before, making Smith and Thomas a duo that gave offenses headaches for years to come.

Thomas made a living with his speed and power to knife his way through offensive lines and chase down quarterbacks. The late Lamar Hunt said at Thomas’ induction into the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 2001, “He put his mark on Kansas City Chiefs football like very few players have.”

A rare player like few we’ve seen in the NFL, finished his tragically short career with 126.5 sacks which was fourth-most by a linebacker. This was the largest number attained by any player in a decade, and 37 of his career sacks came against Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway.

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