Derrick Thomas: Family Members to Accept His Posthumous Degree May 13th

Media Availability Set for 10 a.m. May 13th at Bryant Museum

The University of Alabama will award former NFL linebacker, the late Derrick Thomas, his bachelor of arts degree posthumously during the Capstone’s afternoon graduation ceremony, May 13th at 1:30 p.m. at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Accepting Thomas’ degree (criminal justice, social welfare) will be his mother, Edith Morgan, and grandmother, Annie Adams.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY (NOTE: The museum event is NOT open to the general public. Media must confirm attendance to this event in advance by telephoning one of the contact numbers listed above.)

Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m. Paul W. Bryant Museum, UA Campus. The museum has a new exhibit featuring Derrick Thomas memorabilia, including his UA and Kansas City Chiefs’ jerseys, game balls and a NFL-produced video on Thomas’ career.

Potential Interviewees:

Thomas Family Members

Edith Morgan, Derrick’s mother

Annie Adams, Derrick’s grandmother

National Football League

Guy Troupe (Director of Player Programs)

John Harris (National Consortium for Academics and Sports)

Kansas City Chiefs
Carl Peterson (President and General Manager)

Lamont Winston (Assistant Director of Player Programs)

Dave Adolf (Assistant Football Coach)

Kristen Nix (Player Development)

University of Alabama

Mike DuBose (Head Football Coach)

Ken Gaddy (Director, Paul W. Bryant Museum)

Kevin Almond (Associate Athletics Director, Support Services)

SATELLITE NEWSFEED

There will be a post-commencement feed on Saturday, May 13 on KU band SBS 6, Transponder 4 at 4:30-4-4:45 p.m. (Central Daylight Time). This feed will include b-roll of Thomas’ mother receiving his degree from University of Alabama President Andrew Sorensen. If you have problems with the feed, call our digital pager, 205/507-5752.

Derrick Thomas Background

Thomas died Feb. 8 of complications resulting from a Jan. 23 automobile accident that had left him paralyzed from the chest down.

Thomas began his professional career with the Kansas City Chiefs as the NFL’s Rookie of the Year in 1989. A nine-time Pro Bowl Player, Thomas holds the NFL one-game record of seven sacks and ranks ninth on the career sack list.

An outside linebacker for the Crimson Tide from 1985-88, Thomas was a unanimous All-American in 1988 when he won the Butkus Trophy, CBS’ Defensive Player of the Year and the Washington Pigskin Club’s Defensive Play of the Year. He served as defensive captain of the 1988 team and was named to the All-Decade Team for the Southeastern Conference for the 1980s and to The University of Alabama’s All-Century Team.

Off the field, Thomas was known for his community service work, including funding literacy programs for inner-city children, reading to children through local libraries, raising funds to feed the hungry and spending time with ill and hospitalized children.

In mid-February, the Derrick Thomas Endowed Scholarship Fund was established by an initial gift from Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse Jr. of Miami. The scholarship will benefit students who are committed to community service.