The Kansas City Chiefs announced that they will honor former linebacker Derrick Thomas and retire his number 58 in a ceremony that will take place at halftime of the December 6 th home game against the Denver Broncos.

Thomas played his entire 11 year career with the Chiefs who took him with the fourth overall pick in the 1989 draft.   Thomas was a nine time Pro-Bowler and named Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was remembered as one of the greatest pass rushers of all time.

On Jan. 23, 2000 Thomas was in a car wreck that left him paralyzed from the chest down. On Feb. 8, 2000, he died from a massive blood clot in his legs that traveled to his lungs. Thomas wasn’t wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident and was reportedly thrown from his car.

I still remember that time, because just a few days prior to his death, I was working as a morning DJ on a music station in Columbia, MO.  My partner (Nicci Garmon) and I had listeners sign a giant get well card that she drove to Arrowhead Stadium.  It was a shock when we heard he died.

Thomas will also be inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in August.