Pro Football Hall of Fame will honor late Derrick Thomas before Thursday’s Chiefs game

Former Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas wreaked havoc on the Denver Broncos during his career, piling up 18 sacks and scoring a touchdown in 22 career games against the AFC West rival.

So, perhaps it’s fitting that the late star will be lauded before Thursday’s Chiefs-Broncos game.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will honor Thomas, who died in 2000, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. There will be a presentation of his Ring of Excellence at a ceremony before the game, which starts at 7:15 p.m.

Thomas was enshrined posthumously in the Hall of Fame in 2009 after collecting 126 1/2 sacks in 169 career games during his 11 seasons with the Chiefs. In addition to the iconic gold jacket, Hall of Famers are given a Ring of Excellence. However, those rings had been presented only to living members.

The Hall of Fame said it changed that policy in November, allowing members enshrined posthumously to receive the ring if they are survived by “a spouse, adult child or a parent.”

Thomas’ family will receive his Ring of Excellence.

The Hall of Fame said Thomas will be represented at Thursday’s ceremony by Chiefs CEO/chairman Clark Hunt; Betty Brown, President of Thomas’ Third And Long Foundation; and Neil Smith, a former Chiefs teammate and current officer for the Third & Long Foundation.

The Chiefs Hall of Honor will have Thomas’ Ring of Excellence on display, in addition to other items from his career, the Hall of Fame said.