Wrongful death trial turns to Thomas’ potential.
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Had a rollover accident not paralyzed and later killed Derrick Thomas, the Chiefs star could have made about $45 million playing football, his agent testified Thursday. And Thomas could have made millions more from broadcasting, product endorsements and speaking fees, said California agent Leigh Steinberg. General Motors Corp. defense attorneys attacked the numbers as unrealistic, but the figures indicate what Thomas’ family might ask jurors for in the wrongful-death case. In other testimony Thursday, witnesses said snow had just started to fall and had not yet covered Interstate 435 when Thomas lost control of his sport-utility vehicle on Jan. 23, 2000. But one driver said Thomas drove too fast for the weather conditions. Thomas’ mother and seven children contend in the Jackson County Circuit Court case that GM is at fault because the roof of Thomas’ Chevy Suburban was too weak, collapsed and caused his death. |