Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas pursues San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young during an NFL Football game on September 11, 1994 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers 24-17. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas holds up the ball to the crowd after recording his 100th career sack on Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (not pictured) during an NFL football game on November 16, 1997 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 24-22. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas (58) celebrates a missed field goal by New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) in the final seconds Sunday, Oct. 10, 1999, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The field goal would have won the game for the Patriots, but the Chiefs won 16-14. (AP Photo/Cliff Schiappa)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas (58) pursues San Diego Chargers running back Kenny Bynum (43) during an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 31, 1999 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 34-0. (AP Photo/David Stluka)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas in action during the 1995 season. (Allen Kee/NFL)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas looks for the ball carrier during the Chiefs' 10-6 victory over the Los Angeles Raiders in the 1991 AFC Wild Card playoff game on December 28, 1991 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (National Football League)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas receives the Edge Man of the Year Award at Super Bowl Saturday Night on January 29, 1994, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Atlanta, Georgia. (National Football League)

AFC linebacker Derrick Thomas (57) of the Kansas City Chiefs waves an American flag as he leaves the field following the AFC's 23-21 victory over the NFC in the 1991 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 3, 1991 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (National Football League)

Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas poses in front of an NFL shield logo in Kansas City, Mo., 1992. (National Football League)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas happily walks off the field after the Chiefs' 27-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 10, 1991. (AP Photo/Bob Galbraith)

Kansas City Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas (58) beats Los Angeles Rams Hall of Fame tackle Jackie Slater (78) during an NFL game at Anaheim, Calif, Nov. 10, 1991. The Chiefs defeated the Rams 27-20. (National Football League)

Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas (58) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland, Calif., Dec. 3, 1995. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 29-23. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas competes at the Pro Beach Challenge before the NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. (National Football League)

Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas (58) eyes Denver Broncos Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway (7) during an NFL game in Kansas City, Nov. 17, 1991. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 24-20 at Arrowhead Stadium. (AP Photo/NFL Photos/James Smith)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas pursues on a play against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game on January 2, 2000 in Kansas City, Mo. The Raiders won in overtime, 41-38. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)

Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas (58) pursues San Diego Chargers running back Natrone Means (20) during an NFL game in San Diego, Oct. 17, 1993. The Chiefs defeated the Chargers 17-14. (National Football League)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas rushes in to apply pressure during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 29, 1998 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 34-24. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)

Three East team members raise their prize during awards ceremonies Monday, January 16, 1989 following their 30-7 victory in the Japan Bowl East-West U. S. college all-star football game at Yokohama Stadium south of Tokyo. Robert Drummond of Syracuse, left, was awarded the Best Offense Prize for his twice touchdown. Mark Messner (60) of Michigan received the Joe Ross Memorial Prize, and Derrick Thomas of Alabama (55) got the Best Defense Award. Japanese officials are Setsuo Makiuchi, left, Japan Bowl chairman and president of Sports Nippon Newspapers, and Hiroshi Hamada, president of Ricoh Co. which sponsored the game. (AP Photo/Sadayuki Mikami)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas (58) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo on Nov. 12, 1989. (Associated Press)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas tackles Cleveland Browns running back Leroy Hoard during an NFL Football game on November 20, 1994 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs defeated the Browns, 20-13. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas (58) sacks Oakland Raiders quarterback Vince Evans (11) during an NFL game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 1995 in Oakland. The Chiefs won the game, 29-23. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)

Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas (58) looks into the opposing backfield during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers on November 10, 1996. The Chiefs defeated the Packers 27-20 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas (58) sacks San Diego Chargers quarterback Todd Philcox for a safety on Dec. 14, 1997 in San Diego. The Chiefs won 29-7. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas rushes in during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Dec. 14, 1997 in San Diego. The Chiefs won the game, 29-7. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)

Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Saturday, December 26, 1998. Chiefs beat Raiders 31-24. Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas (58) celebrates. (AP Photo/Al Golub)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas (58) takes a breather during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 29, 1999 in Oakland The Cheifs won the game, 37 to 34. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas gets a hit on Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon as he throws a pass during an NFL football game on January 2, 2000 in Kansas City, Mo. The Raiders won in overtime, 41-38. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas (58) carries a flag around the stadium as fans cheer him and the Chiefs victory Sunday, Dec. 24, 1995, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Joe Ledford)