FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Just hours before he found out he would be a part of the next class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Emmitt Thomas was on a plane from Phoenix to Atlanta. He opted to come home from the site of Super Bowl XLII and the Hall of Fame announcement early, hoping to leave his nerves in the desert.
He made it home around midnight Friday, tried to sleep (he couldn't) and got up early on Saturday. He then tried to get his mind off his possible place in history before heading to the basement with his dog to watch the 4:30 p.m. EST Hall of Fame announcement.
He, of course, joined five other players in the Class of 2008 -- a reward for 13 storied seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, 181 games played, 58 interceptions and two Super Bowl appearances.
"They tried to talk me into (staying in Phoenix)," Thomas said. "But being an old NFL guy and watching the Draft and seeing guys sit around in that green room to see if they were going to get drafted in certain positions and it not happen... I felt as if I needed to be back home with my wife and sister-in-law.
"I didn't think I'd get that anxious and nervous, but I did. They told me they'd call me at 4:30 and when it didn't actually happen then I really got nervous."
Falcons Owner and CEO Arthur Blank called him with the news a little after 4:30 p.m. Thomas, who was selected as a finalist for enshrinement by the Seniors Committee back in August, joins five other inductees in the Hall's Class of 2008: defensive lineman Fred Dean, defensive back Darrell Green, receiver Art Monk, linebacker Andre Tippett and tackle Gary Zimmerman.
Asked Tuesday if he regrets the decision to come back to Atlanta, Thomas said he's happy he was at home for the news. That way friends, family and coaches could reach him via cell phone and at his home.
"I was on the phone until probably 11:30 that night," he said.
Calls came from former teammates at Bishop College and friends from tiny Angelton, Texas (Thomas' hometown). The veteran coach also took calls from players current and old. He'll continue to add to his list of friends in 2008 as he becomes the Falcons assistant head coach. New Head Coach Mike Smith awarded Thomas the title Jan. 24, a few weeks after Thomas led the Falcons to a 1-2 record as interim head coach.
"The title really doesn't flatter me as much as getting an opportunity to come back (and) work with (DeAngelo) Hall, who I'm very fond of, Lawyer Milloy, a couple of young guys like Chris Houston and some other guys on the defensive side. I have some friends on the offensive side, (too)," Thomas said Tuesday.
"I would like to have a hand and a part in getting the team back to a winning tradition."
Thomas said he will help Smith with "some" administrative concerns but will primarily resume his role as a position coach. It's where he's at home and where he has made some of his lasting impacts.
A former defensive coordinator with the Eagles, Packers and Vikings, Thomas looks forward to adding to his legacy as a mentor in coming seasons in Atlanta. He works now with little to be nervous about, his place in the history of the NFL already secure.
"It's a great honor for me and my family," Thomas said. "My wife and son over the years have been the two people constantly asking me why I'm not nominated. I think the Hall is the epitome of my career. I really do. I think when you get in there that's an elite fraternity to be a part of. I enjoyed being interim head coach here and winning one game out of the last three but to be selected to the Hall of Fame is wild.
"I'm a strong believer and I think things happen to you when God sees fit. So I feel awfully blessed."
