Emmitt Thomas facts for kids

Emmitt Earl Thomas, born on June 3, 1943, is a famous American football player and coach. He played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Bishop College. Emmitt Thomas was a talented cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs.

He holds the Chiefs' record for most interceptions with 58. This is one of the highest numbers in pro football history! Emmitt Thomas is so good, he was even put into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After playing, he became a coach. He won Super Bowl IV as a player with the Chiefs. Later, as a coach, he won two more Super Bowls (XXII and XXVI) with the Washington Redskins.

Playing for the Chiefs

Emmitt Thomas joined the Chiefs as a player without being drafted. He came from Bishop College in Dallas. He was an AFL All-Star in 1968. After the Chiefs joined the NFL, he made the Pro Bowl four times. He was also chosen as an All-Pro player three times.

In 1969, he led all pro football players with 9 interceptions. He returned these for 146 yards and scored a touchdown. His team won the AFL Championship that year. They also won the AFL-NFL World Championship Game, Super Bowl IV. The Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings 23–7. Thomas even had an interception in that big victory. In 1974, he again led the NFL in interceptions with 12. He also led in return yards (214) and return touchdowns (2).

Emmitt Thomas played for 13 seasons. He finished his career with 58 interceptions. He returned these for 937 yards and scored five touchdowns. He also recovered four fumbles. He played in 181 games, which is one of the most in Chiefs history. His 58 interceptions are still a team record.

Thomas was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008. His special bust was shown on August 2, 2008.

Coaching Career

Emmitt Thomas became an assistant coach in the NFL in 1981. He worked for many teams. On December 12, 2007, he became the interim head coach for the Atlanta Falcons. This happened after the previous coach, Bobby Petrino, left suddenly.

Thomas tried to bring the team together. He led the Falcons to a win against the Seattle Seahawks at the end of that season. In 2008, the new Falcons head coach, Mike Smith, asked Thomas to stay. He became the assistant head coach. Thomas was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with Darrell Green and Art Monk. He had coached both of these players when they won Super Bowls with the Washington Redskins. His contract with the Falcons ended in 2010.

On February 1, 2010, he was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs. He worked as their secondary coach. Emmitt Thomas announced his retirement from coaching on February 12, 2019.

Head Coaching Record

*Interim head coach.

Personal Life

Emmitt Thomas lives in Kansas City, Missouri. He married Jacqueline Heafley in 1983. She passed away on August 21, 2017. He has a son named Derek and a daughter named Dedra. They are from a previous marriage. Derek is now a coach in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dedra is a legal nurse consultant in Kansas City, Missouri. Emmitt Thomas has eight grandchildren: Keydron, Keynan, Kierrah, Kyandria, Bailey, Samantha, Jade, and Shane.

See also

• List of American Football League players