|
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
WHEREAS, In recognition of his stellar career as a defensive |
|
back with the Kansas City Chiefs, Angleton native Emmitt Earl Fyles |
|
Thomas was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008; and |
|
WHEREAS, This self-described "country boy from Angleton" |
|
lost his mother at the age of eight and was raised by his |
|
grandparents, Virginia Fyles and Lewis Fyles, Sr.; Mr. Fyles taught |
|
young Emmitt important values such as honor, commitment, faith, |
|
hard work, and respect for others; Mr. Thomas paid tribute to his |
|
beloved grandfather by adding "Fyles" to his name for his Hall of |
|
Fame induction; and |
|
WHEREAS, After playing football at Bishop College in Dallas, |
|
Mr. Thomas joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 1966; he |
|
went on to enjoy a 13-year playing career, earning Pro Bowl |
|
recognition on five occasions and helping lead his team to two Super |
|
Bowl appearances, including a victory in Super Bowl IV; his 12 |
|
interceptions in 1974 were just two shy of an NFL record, and his |
|
career total of 58 interceptions still stands as a Kansas City |
|
record; and |
|
WHEREAS, Mr. Thomas is highly respected for his intellectual |
|
approach to the game of football, and he has used his extensive |
|
knowledge of the sport in a successful coaching career that has |
|
spanned 27 seasons and included positions with the St. Louis |
|
Cardinals, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay |
|
Packers, and Minnesota Vikings; he currently serves as the |
|
assistant head coach of the Atlanta Falcons; and |
|
WHEREAS, Emmitt Thomas played football with tremendous heart |
|
and integrity; his passion for the game and the lifelong lessons it |
|
teaches have enabled him to reach the pinnacle of his profession, |
|
and his admirable achievements have brought great honor to his |
|
family, to his teams, to his hometown, and to the Lone Star State; |
|
now, therefore, be it |
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
|
Legislature hereby congratulate Emmitt Earl Fyles Thomas on his |
|
induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame; and, be it further |
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
prepared for Mr. Thomas as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
|
House of Representatives. |