Chiefs to retire Emmitt Thomas' number

The shy cornerback from east Texas wasn’t shy about asking how to get better.

Emmitt Thomas started his career as a talented but quiet cornerback and emerged as one of the Chiefs’ all-time best players. He will be enshrined next month in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Chiefs announced Monday that Thomas’ No. 18 will be retired before a game Oct. 19.

Former secondary and linebackers coach Tom Bettis watched Thomas mature when Thomas began his career in 1966. Bettis said all Thomas wanted was to be a good player and, later, a good coach.

“He wanted it bad,” said Bettis, who also introduced Thomas to coaching. “And you have to. You have to have a passion for it if you’re going to play.”

Thomas will be the ninth Chiefs player to have his number retired.