42 Athletes That Died Before 40

NBA | February 16, 2021

Derrick Thomas

Kansas City Chiefs legend Derrick Thomas was taken far too soon. The incredible pass-rusher spent a full 11 seasons with the Chiefs and went to nine Pro Bowls. Thomas accumulated 126.5 sacks in his career and is listed in the NFL’s all-time top 20 players. Sadly, he lost his life in 2000, at the age of just 33 years old, after he was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed and his passenger killed. Thomas died a few days afterward and was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.