Legacy
In 1990 Derrick Thomas founded the Derrick Thomas Third and Long Foundation. The foundations mission is to 'sack illiteracy' and change the lives of 9 to 13 year old urban children facing challenging and even life-threatening situations in the Kansas City area. Through social, cultural and educational activities and programs, the Third and Long Foundation. helps participating children succeed in school and in an outside world possessing seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
On January 31, 2009, Derrick Thomas was one of six players selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was officially inducted in Canton, Ohio on August 8, 2009. He had been a finalist for induction for four years before his induction. The Chiefs announced on June 23, 2009 that they would retire #58 in honor of Thomas, and the retirement ceremony took place on December 6, 2009 when the Chiefs played the Denver Broncos.
Thomas' mother established the Moms2Moms58 Foundation to honor her son's legacy. The foundation works with professional football players, non-profit organizations, community leaders, political figures and entertainers to educate the public on car seat and seatbelt safety, children's health and sports safety outreach to inner-city youth. Each year Moms2Moms58 hosts the "Celebration of Life Celebrity Weekend" in Derrick's hometown of Miami, FL. The Celebration of Life was established to honor the life and charitable works of Thomas through music, entertainment and fundraising for community enrichment programs. Moms2Moms58 and Celebration of Life are administered through 501(c)(3) status.
The Derrick Thomas Academy, a charter school in Kansas City, Missouri, opened in September 2002. It serves 950 children from kindergarten through eighth grade.
The Chiefs have named their player of the year award in Thomas's honor. Notable winners of the Derrick Thomas award include Derrick Thomas himself, Christian Okoye, Neil Smith, Marcus Allen, Priest Holmes, Trent Green, Larry Johnson, Jared Allen, Tony Gonzalez, and Jamaal Charles. (Thomas, Okoye, Smith, and Allen won the award prior to the award being named for him)
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Famous quotes containing the word legacy:
“What is popularly called fame is nothing but an empty name and a legacy from paganism.”
—Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536)