CB Emmitt Thomas Will Have His #18 Retired, Receive His Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring at Arrowhead on October 19th

Jun 30, 2008, 9:12:55 AM

Chiefs President Carl Peterson announced on Monday that Chiefs Hall of Fame CB Emmitt Thomas will have his jersey #18 retired by the Chiefs and will receive his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring during a pregame ceremony at Arrowhead Stadium on October 19th prior to the club’s contest vs. the Tennessee Titans.

Thomas will be enshrined as part of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2008 in Canton, Ohio on Sunday, August 3rd. Thomas will be the ninth player in franchise history to have his jersey retired, joining K Jan Stenerud (3), QB Len Dawson (16), RB Abner Haynes (28), RB Stone Johnson (33), RB Mack Lee Hill (36), LB Willie Lanier (63), LB Bobby Bell (78) and DT Buck Buchanan (86).

Thomas, who played 13 seasons for the Chiefs (1966-78), was one of two Senior’s Committee candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2008. One of the finest cornerbacks of his era, Thomas owns the Chiefs all-time interception record with 58. That total places him ninth on the NFL’s all-time list and ranks fourth in NFL history among pure cornerbacks. A member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame, Thomas was named to four Pro Bowls and one AFL All-Star team.

On two occasions Thomas led the league in interceptions, pacing the NFL with a team-record 12 in ‘74 and topping the AFL with nine picks in ‘69. The Angleton, Texas native had a knack for the big play, returning five interceptions for touchdowns and registering five postseason pickoffs, including one in the Chiefs Super Bowl IV victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Thomas was also a member of Kansas City’s Super Bowl I squad.

The undrafted free agent from Bishop College in Dallas appeared in 181 career games, the seventh-highest total in club annals. Following his playing career, Thomas has spent 27 seasons in the NFL coaching ranks with six different teams. He currently serves as the assistant head coach/secondary coach of the Atlanta Falcons.