Once again Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker Derrick Thomas is up for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is the fifth time. He is one of 25 chosen as semifinalists for the class of 2009. In looking over the list of 25 semifinalists, Derrick Thomas is, by far, a better candidate than all the rest.

I will always remember the day he died, where I was and what I was doing. When I watched him play during some of my trips to Arrowhead Stadium, I saw a man take over a game and create havoc with the offense.

A #58 Derrick Thomas jersey hangs proudly on the wall above my computer.

Here are some key points about Derrick Thomas’ career:
-Nine-time Pro Bowl performer (1989-97).
-A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s NFL All-Decade Team of the 1990s.
-No NFL player registered more sacks during the decade of the 1990s (116.5).
-Only two players in NFL history own more fumble return TDs (4) and safeties (3).
-Played in 10 postseason games in his 11 seasons with Kansas City.
-With Thomas on the field from 1989-99, Kansas City made seven playoff appearances, won three AFC West titles and reached the 1993 AFC Championship Game.
-Thomas finished his 11-year NFL career with 45 forced fumbles, 19 fumble recoveries and seven defensive scores (four touchdowns and three safeties).
-Hall of Fame LB Lawrence Taylor finished his 13-year NFL career with 33 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries and two defensive scores (two TDs and no safeties).
-Thanks to Thomas, Kansas City boasted the league’s best turnover differential (+128) and the most takeaways (365) during the 1990s and led the NFL in turnover differential in 1990, 1992, 1995 & 1999.
-Established the NFL single-game sack record with 7.0 sacks vs. Seattle (11/11/90).
-Registered 27 multi-sack games and owns two of the top three games in NFL history.
-Led the NFL with a franchise-record 20.0 sacks in 1990.
-Finished his career with 728 tackles (558 solo), 34 passes defensed and 444 Quarterback pressures.

Enjoy the film: