Thomas belongs in Hall of Fame

Ken Bradley

Thomas belongs in Hall of Fame image

It’s this simple:

Derrick Thomas should be in the College Football Hall of Fame.

And it now appears that it’s going to happen. ESPN.com’s Brett McMurphy reported Wednesday that Thomas will be inducted when the names are called Thursday around 12:30 ET.

"Former Alabama LB Derrick Thomas inducted into College Football Hall of Fame, sources told ESPN," McMurphy wrote on Twitter.

It's about time.

For three years, the late Alabama linebacker was not selected to enter the College Football Hall of Fame. That’s even more ridiculous than what he did on the field at Tuscaloosa.

A program as rich in history and elite talent as Alabama, it’s amazing that a player who came through more than 15 years ago still holds plenty of school records.

Among them:

— 68.0 career tackles for loss

— 52.0 career sacks

— 27.0 sacks in a single season

— 44 QB hurries in a season

— 39.0 tackles for loss in a season

— 5 sacks in a single game

— 5 blocked kicks (one field goal, four punts) in a career

And, oh yeah, he was an All-American and Butkus Award winner.

When you hold that many records at Alabama, you’re one of the game’s greatest. Period.

He went on to have a monster career with the Kansas City Chiefs — he was a nine-time Pro Bowler and recorded seven sacks in one game — and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He died at age 33 from complications after suffering a serious car wreck in 2000.

As if the numbers aren’t enough, take it from one of his teammates.

“He was such a dominant athlete when he played at Alabama and KC,” said former Alabama defensive back John Mangum, who played with Thomas from 1986 to ’88. “His senior year at Alabama was one of the most impressive years statistically that any defensive player has ever had in college football. His time in Kansas City was no different. He dominated the NFL just like he did the SEC.

“He just had an ability to get the QB that only a handful of players to play this game have ever had.”

And Mangum knows a thing or two about success on the defensive side of the ball. He was an All-American in 1989, the year after Thomas moved on to the NFL and was an All-SEC selection in 1988 and ’89.

“It still amazes me that Derrick is not in the College Football Hall of Fame,” said Mangum, who holds Tide records for pass breakups in season (24) and career (47). “I have no idea how the selection process works, but if Derrick continues to be snubbed, it needs to be reevaluated.”

Now, it appears that’s been rectified.

“He belongs in the College Football Hall of Fame and everyone knows it.”

Ken Bradley