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(AP) — Emmitt Thomas announced his retirement Tuesday as the defensive backs coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, ending an NFL career that began as a Hall of Fame player and wound up spanning five decades
Thomas spent 13 seasons playing for the Chiefs, helping the organization to a pair of Super Bowl appearances and their only championship in 1970
The two-time All-Pro retired in 1978 and began coaching at Central Missouri State before moving onto the pros with the St
Louis Cardinals.He helped the Redskins win a pair of Super Bowls, and also worked for the Eagles, Packers, Vikings and Falcons, before returning to Kansas City in 2010
He's been the Chiefs' secondary coach ever since, first under Todd Haley and retained by Romeo Crennel and current coach Andy Reid
Emmitt Thomas gives induction speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony in 2008
(Photo: Kirby Lee, US PRESSWIRE)"My journey started in Kansas City, and by the grace of God I am able to end my NFL career here as well," said Thomas, who was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008
"It has been a privilege to work alongside the great coaches that have come through this building
Having the opportunity to coach so many talented young men in my time as a coach has been one of my greatest gifts
"Thomas joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of tiny Bishop College in 1966, just four years after the organization moved from Dallas to Kansas City
He helped the Chiefs reach the first Super Bowl as a rookie, losing to the Green Bay, before returning three years later
He had nine interceptions that season, including one in their Super Bowl triumph over Minnesota
Thomas continued to be a productive player until his retirement, then became a sought-after coach for defensive backs
He spent four years with the Cardinals, eight more with the Redskins and three with the Eagles before serving as defensive coordinator of the Packers
POWER RANKINGS: Where did Chiefs wind up?4th & MONDAY: Our NFL newsletter always brings the blitzAfter a stint as defensive coordinator of the Vikings, he joined the Falcons coaching staff, where he got his only taste as a head coach
It was Thomas who was appointed interim coach after Bobby Petrino's sudden retirement in 2007, and he rallied a broken locker room to a season-ending win over Seattle
He was retained by new Falcons coach Mike Smith the following year, then joined the Chiefs in 2010, a move that allowed him to bookend a playing and coaching career spanning 51 years
"Over the course of a career that spans two leagues and most of the modern era of the NFL, Emmitt was a Hall of Fame player and one of the most respected coaches in the league," Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said
"Emmitt will always be a part of our Chiefs family."The 75-year-old Thomas' retirement had been expected after the Chiefs, who lost in overtime to the Patriots in the AFC championship game, fired longtime defensive coordinator Bob Sutton
Steve Spagnuolo has been hired to handle the defense and is bringing in many of his own assistants
"It was an honor to have Emmitt on our coaching staff," Reid said. "Having a Pro Football Hall of Famer lead that room and share his experiences as a player and a coach has been incredible for our guys
Beyond football, he's a tremendous person, and I've enjoyed working with him and getting to know him
"FacebookTwitterGoogle+LinkedIn2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame class Fullscreen Posted!A link has been posted to your Facebook feed
Tony Gonzalez, tight end for Kansas City Chiefs (1997-2008) and Atlanta Falcons (2009-2013)
JIM BARCUS, Associated PressFullscreenTony Gonzalez was a six-time all-pro and made 14 pro bowls
Barbara Jean Germano, SPORTS WEEKLYFullscreenTony Gonzalez retired with 1,325 catches for 15,127 yards and 111 touchdowns
Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenEd Reed, safety for the Baltimore Ravens (2002-2012) and Houston Texans and New York Jets (2013)
Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenEd Reed was a five-time all-pro who made nine Pro Bowls
He was the defensive player of the year in 2004 and won Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens
He retired with 64 career interceptions and 13 touchdowns. Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenChamp Bailey, cornerback for the Washington Redskins (1999-2003) and Denver Broncos (2004-2013)
Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenChamp Bailey, who was drafted by the Redskins before being traded to the Broncos, was a multi-time Pro Bowler at both stops
In all he played in 12 Pro Bowls and was named an all-pro three times. H. DARR BEISER, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenChamp Bailey retired with 52 career interceptions
Michael Madrid, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenTy Law, cornerback for the New England Patriots (1995-2004), New York Jets (2005 and 2008), Kansas City Chiefs (2006-07) and Denver Broncos (2009)
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenTy Law was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time all-pro who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots
He retired with 53 career interceptions. JOHN ZICH, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenKevin Mawae, offensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks (1994-97), New York Jets (1998-2005) and Tennessee Titans (2006-09)
BILL KOSTROUN, APFullscreenKevin Mawae was an eight-time Pro Bowler who made the all-pro team three times
John Russell, APFullscreenPat Bowlen, the longtime owner of the Denver Broncos, was named to the Hall in the contributor category
The Broncos went to the Super Bowl seven times under him. Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenAlso going to the Hall as a contributor is former Dallas Cowboys vice president Gil Brandt
The Cowboys won two Super Bowls during his tenure. Tim Heitman, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenJohnny Robinson, making the tackle, made the Hall in the senior category
He was a defensive star with the Kansas City Chiefs franchise. APFullscreen Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:Replay1 of 152 of 153 of 154 of 155 of 156 of 157 of 158 of 159 of 1510 of 1511 of 1512 of 1513 of 1514 of 1515 of 15AutoplayShow ThumbnailsShow CaptionsLast SlideNext SlideIf you love talking football, we have the perfect spot for you
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