To the editor:

Derrick Thomas, dead at age 33. After reading articles from the Kansas City Star and watching TV segments with headlines similar to this about the tragic death of Derrick Thomas, I have but one request to all ISU students and everyone who rides in a motorized vehicle: please, wear your seatbelts.

Although I am not a huge Chiefs fan, I have to be a Derrick Thomas fan. He was fatherless after his dad was killed flying a fighter plane over Vietnam. He was angry at the world because he didn’t understand it at the age of five, but he was able to harness this anger to become one of the best linebackers in NFL history.

With the loss of his father hanging over him, he grew into a man with a huge heart and loved those who were sick or not nearly as lucky as he was in Kansas City.

He donated his time and money to these people who he dearly loved and helped to start the Third and Long Foundation to help these kids and their families.

His death has shocked millions because of his generous heart. All of this because he was not wearing his seatbelt.

Aaron Brand

Sophomore

Horticulture