Greatest Names In Bama Football History-Derrick Thomas
He was born on January 1, 1967 and died too young, from a massive blood clot that developed in his paralyzed lower extremities and traveled to his lungs on February 8, 2000. His name is Derrick Vincent Thomas, one of the true greats to play the game of football at the University of Alabama and in the National Football League.
Thomas was born in Miami, Florida and was raised by his mother. His father was Air Force Captain Robert James Thomas who died during a mission in Viet Nam Thomas began playing football at the age of three. He played his high school football at South Miami Senior High School.
Thomas was part of one of the best Crimson Tide defenses ever, and personally smashed many Bama defensive records that included the number of sacks in a single season at 27. Thomas won the Butkus Award that season, 1988. He also finished in the Top 10 in Heisman Trophy balloting. He still holds the single season NCAA FBS sack record with those 27 sacks. He held the career sack record, at that time, with 52 sacks. He was named a unanimous All-American at the conclusion of that season. Thomas was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
Selected fourth overall in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, he went on to a stellar career. In fact, he would remain with the Chiefs throughout his NFL career.
Thomas was awarded Defensive Rookie of the Year by Sporting News, and was the first Chief's linebacker to be elected to the Pro Bowl in his first season since Hall of Fame player Bobby Bell. During his career he would participate in nine Pro Bowls.
Thomas was a master at sacking quarterbacks. He was named All-Pro six times. Thomas totaled 126.5 sacks during his career, ranking 12th all-time in NFL history, and still holds the single game record of 7 quarterback sacks.
He is one of only 25 NFL players to achieve 100 or more sacks, and ranks fifth all-time in Chiefs' history with 649 career tackles. During his career, he also recorded 1 interception and recovered 19 fumbles, returning them for 161 yards and 4 touchdowns. Thomas set career records with the Chiefs for sacks, safeties, fumble recoveries, and forced fumbles. Off the field, Thomas established the Third and Long Foundation in 1990, which helps inner city youth learn to read and teaches life skills through educational and cultural programs.
On January 31, 2009, Thomas was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his fifth year of eligibility.
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19 Now Commited To Tide For 2016
This is the complete list of the 18 University of Alabama football commitments for 2016 class as of July 20, 2015.
- T.J. Simmons, WR (6' 2", 185 lbs), Clay-Chalkville High School, Pinson, Ala.*
- Deonte Brown, OL (6' 3", 330 lbs), Austin High, Decatur, Ala.*
- Riley Cole, LB (6' 3", 210lbs), Oneonta High Schol, Oneonta, Ala.*
- Quinnen Williams, DL (6' 4", 265 lbs), Wenonah High School, Birmingham, Ala.*
- Shawn Jennings S (6'2", 218 lbs.), Dadeville High School, Dadeville, Ala.*
- Chris Owens, OL (6' 3", 312 lbs), Lamar High, Arlington, Texas
- Shyheim Carter, CB (6' 0", 185 lbs), Kentwood High, Kentwood, La.
- Raekwon Davis, DT (6' 7", 315 lbs), Meridian High, Meridian, Miss.
- Jonah Williams, OL (6' 5", 283 lbs), Folsom High, Folsom, Calif.
- Brendan Scales, TE (6' 4", 230 lbs), Lafayette, Ballwin, Mo.
- Joshua Perry, DB (6' 3", 190 lbs), Amite High, Amite, La.
- Kendell Jones, DT (6' 4", 360 lbs), Shoemaker High, Killeen, Texas
- Charles Baldwin, OL (6' 5", 305 lbs), ASA College, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Jalen Hurts, QB (6' 2", 208lbs), Channelview High, Channelview, Texas
- Jaquan Yulee, LB (6' 0", 252 lbs), Indian River High, Chesapeake, Va.
- Eddy Pineiro, K (6' 1", 180 lbs), ASA College, Miami, Fla.
- Miller Forristall, TE (6' 5", 220lbs), Cartersville High School, Cartersville, Ga.
- Khalid Kareem, DE (6' 4", 260 lbs), Harrison High School, Farmington, Mich.
- B.J. Emmons, RB (5' 10", 232 lbs), Freedom High School, Morganton, N.C.
*In-state commitments
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UA Football Fan Day Is August 9th
The annual University of Alabama Football Fan Day event has been set for 2015. For your opportunity to see a preseason Crimson Tide football game, head to Tuscaloosa on August 9th. The practice will be held in Bryant-Denny Stadium, and will run from 2:30 PM CDT to 4:30 PM. Autographs with coaches and players will begin at approximately 4:45 PM CDT.
Admission is absolutely free. The gates will open at 1:30 PM at Gates 12 and 16.
Those interested only in the autographs without sitting through the practice can line up at 1:30 PM at Gate 45.
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4-Star Chadarius Townsend Commits To Crimson Tide
Four-star athlete Chadarius Townsend has announced his commitment to the University of Alabama, becoming the fifth commit for Bama in the 2017 class. The 6' 0", 180-pounder from Tanner High School is rated the number nine player in the state of Alabama and 20th in the country in the athlete category.
