Independance, Mo. — Fans and memorabilia seekers picked over the estate of the late Kansas City Chief Derrick Thomas Thursday, with some waiting hours to buy hats, autographed pictures and clothing.
One man said he paid $75 for a silver bedpan with Thomas' name inside.
Thomas' mother, Edith Morgan, was inside the Independence home during the sale. Those buying at least $100 worth of goods were given certificates signed by Morgan.
Rooms and walls at the home were packed with autographed footballs and helmets, posters and photographs, sweat pants and blue jeans, alligator shoes and snakeskin belts. Everything was given a price tag, including Thomas' four-poster bed, a gold pinstriped suit, a sack of blue ribbons Thomas won in junior high, even pool sandals.
Thomas was an avid memorabilia collector, amassing numerous autographs, photos, even his own football cards. A poster from a 1992 charity basketball game, signed by participants including former Kansas City Royal George Brett, had been marked for $400.
Thomas died of complications after an auto accident left him paralyzed. While he earned $34 million in salaries and endorsements during his 11-year career, he left an estate that one attorney described as "borderline solvent."
Thomas had no will, touching off a long tug-of-war in Jackson County's probate court. His heirs include seven children by five women, none of whom Thomas ever married. The mothers, who wanted more of Thomas' personal possessions for their children, were limited to $3,000 per child by the court.
The sale continues today and Saturday.
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