Kansas City Chiefs: Top Ten UFA Finds In Franchise History

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Number 1 UFA

Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Emmitt Thomas is the greatest UFA in Chiefs history. He ended up becoming a five-time pro-bowl player, made one 1st team all-pro team, and was inducted into the NFL Hall-of-Fame in 2008 by the Seniors committee.

Thomas is also the franchise leader in interceptions with 58 in his career, which is 9th in NFL history. He had five interception returns for touchdowns and returned both punts and kickoffs in his career.

Yeah. Getting a no. 1 corner who ended up in the Hall-of-Fame is pretty good for a guy no one wanted. To tell you how good Kansas City Chiefs scouts were in the late 60’s, the team landed two future Hall-of-Famers in consecutive years from the UFA pile.

Thomas moved into the starting lineup 1968, while sitting on the bench his first two seasons—including the team’s Super Bowl I berth. Thomas started in the Super Bowl IV victory over the Vikings, recording an interception.

Thomas was named to the Chiefs Hall-of-Fame in 1986.

Thomas became a long-time NFL coach, beginning his career in 1981. He became the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, was named interim coach of the Falcons in 2007 and joined the Kansas City Chiefs staff as secondary coach in 2010 under Todd Haley. He is still on the Chiefs staff today.

EMMITT THOMAS CAREER STATISTICS

	Games	Def Interceptions	Fumbles
Year	Age	Tm	No.	G	GS	Int	Yds	TD	Lng	PD	FF	Fmb	FR	Yds
1966	23	KAN	18	14	3
1967	24	KAN	18	11	6	4	60	1	57	0	0	0	1	0
1968*	25	KAN	18	14		4	25	0	14	0
1969	26	KAN	18	14		9	146	1	45	0	0	0	2	0
1970	27	KAN	18	14	14	5	87	0	39	0	0	0	1	0
1971*	28	KAN	18	14	14	8	145	1	36	0
1972*	29	KAN	18	14	14	2	46	0	26	0
1973	30	KAN	18	14	14	3	65	0	33	0	0	1	1	0
1974*+	31	KAN	18	14	14	12	214	2	73	0
1975*	32	KAN	18	14	14	6	119	0	36	0	0	0	2	4
1976	33	KAN	18	14	14	2	30	0	29	0
1977	34	KAN	18	14	13	1	0	0	0	0
1978	35	KAN	18	16	10	2	0	0	0	0
Career				181	130	58	937	5	73	0	0	1	7	4

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/2/2015.

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