Derrick Thomas is the greatest defensive player Alabama football ever produced. And his story is the most tragic.
Thomas died at 33, from injuries caused by an automobile accident. He is one of only seven Alabama football players to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After an inexplicable delay, in 2014 he was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
For those Alabama football fans who are too young to have seen Derrick Thomas play, old videos do not do him justice. His speed off the edge was exceptional but even greater was his relentless pursuit of quarterbacks and ball-carriers. It was not uncommon for Thomas to overcome a double-team and earn a sack.
The stats tell his superlative story. The 2011 Alabama football defense is considered one of the top three defenses in the school’s history. In 2011 the total sacks made by the Alabama defense was 30. In 1988, Derrick Thomas had 27 sacks. Three less than an entire team from one of Alabama football’s greatest seasons.
In his Alabama football career, Derrick Thomas made 52 sacks. No. 2 on the list for Career Sacks is Jonathan Allen with 28.
All-Time Sacks in a Season (27) – All-American Derrick Thomas, 1988
All-Time Sacks in a Career (52) – All-American Derrick Thomas, 1985-1988
Two more Alabama football records that will never be broken.