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The best undrafted free agents in Kansas City Chiefs history

By Kelly Thompson

Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 21: Defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on from the sideline during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 21, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Chiefs 20-12. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 21: Defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on from the sideline during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 21, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Chiefs 20-12. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

3. Emmitt Thomas

Very few people get the opportunity to retire from the same team twice, but one such person is Chiefs’ Hall of Famer cornerback Emmitt Thomas. Thomas joined the Chiefs as a UDFA in 1966 from the small school known as Bishop College in Dallas, Texas. He played for Kansas City for 13 seasons before his retirement in 1978.

During his career he played in 181 of 184 regular season contests for the Chiefs. He recorded 58 interceptions during his career, which still ranks number one all-time in club history. His playing days merited five Pro Bowl appearances and a 1st Team All-Pro selection in 1974; and he led the league in interceptions twice, in 1969 and 1974.

After his playing days were over, Thomas began his coaching career at Central Missouri State University in 1979. In 1981 he began his NFL coaching career with the St. Louis Cardinals, and coached all around the league until 2010, when he returned to Kansas City to be the defensive backs coach for the Chiefs. Thomas remained in that post through 2018, when he retired from football.

Thomas is one of the greatest UDFAs of all-time—not just for the Chiefs, but in the entire NFL. He is also one of the greatest players in Chiefs history and, because of his commitment to the team as a player and a coach, he will always be a Chiefs’ legend.

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