February 8, 2000 Derrick Vincent Thomas, hall of fame football player, died. Thomas was born January 1, 1967 in Miami, Florida. He played college football at the University of Alabama. In 1988, he was named an All-American and won the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in college football.
Archive | February 8, 2011
February 8th in African American History – James Oscar “Jimmy” Smith
February 8, 2005 James Oscar “Jimmy” Smith, jazz organist, died. Smith was born December 8, 1928 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Originally a pianist, he switched to the organ in 1953 and over his career recorded almost 100 albums, including “The Sermon” (1958), “Prayer Meetin’” (1963), “Root Down” (1972), and his last album “Black Cat/Daybreak” (2001).