“THANKS”-- Giving
by John Valentine

As you are all aware, I have a love for memorabilia and antique collecting. In 2002, this passion brought me to an Auction House that happened to be auctioning Derrick Thomas commemorative game footballs. For those of you who don’t know Derrick Thomas, he was a linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs. He played 11 years in the NFL, is considered one of the best pass rushers of all time and is also a recent inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tragically, Derrick Thomas died in 2000 from the results of severe injuries sustained from a car accident.

When I purchased these footballs, I told my dear friend “These footballs need safe keeping.” In my heart, I knew I purchased the balls because of my love for the sport and for some unknown purpose, not to profit or benefit from them.

While Steve White (in our office) and I were attending the 2009 NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement in Canton, Ohio as the guests of inductee Rob Woodson (Steelers, 49ers, Ravens, and Raiders), we met the children and family of Derrick Thomas. I must be honest, as I sat watching Thomas’s family honored for his greatness both on and off the football field, I remembered the Derrick Thomas commemorative "game balls" sitting in a display case at my home.

After speaking with Derrick’s family, specifically his children, I learned that they owned little memorabilia of their father because after his death, many of his items were sold to an Auction House ; the very same Auction House that I purchased the balls. I also learned later that evening from Jason Aikens, the Curator of New Acquisitions for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, that the Hall of Fame itself did not have many Derrick Thomas items to display.

I knew, in that moment, why I had the good fortune of purchasing the balls back in 2002 and why almost 7 years later I was sitting in the audience as Derrick’s children stood in honor of their father. The balls belonged to him and his family and I was simply storing them until the time was right.

I will never forget the look on Derrick’s son’s face and how his eyes watered when I told him that I had his father’s footballs, and how I wanted to give them back to their rightful owner. His face showed confusion, shock, appreciation, but mostly genuine gratefulness.

After I returned home from Canton, I sent the balls that I had kept in safe keeping for 7 years to Jason Aikens to display at the Hall of Fame. A majority of the balls were sent to Thomas's sons and to his friend Neil Smith, who played for the KC Chiefs and was a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Denver Broncos. It was an honor of mine to own these and then give them back to their true owner.

Just recently, I received a thank you letter written by one of Derrick Thomas’s sons. He was shocked that I actually sent the footballs to their family and was grateful to have a piece of his father’s football legacy. He told me he aspires to one day be as great as his dad, both on and off the football field. I am certain he will be and I am further certain that his father is very proud of him.

With this being the season of giving, I am honored to have given the Thomas family a piece of their father’s ferocity and passion for the game. I guess it was my way of thanking them for sharing their dad.