Hundreds turn out early for Thomas viewing at Arrowhead

(Kansas City-AP) -- It's a mournful scene on the field at Arrowhead Stadium today. The body of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas is lying in state in the east end zone. <br><br>Thomas died

Monday, February 14th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Kansas City-AP) -- It's a mournful scene on the field at Arrowhead Stadium today. The body of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas is lying in state in the east end zone.

Thomas died last week at age 33 of complications from a traffic accident that had left him paralyzed from the chest down. Several hundred people were lined up by the time the gates opened at 9 this morning. They filed at a steady pace past the open casket for a glimpse of Thomas, dressed in a business suit.

A military fly over was planned for noon. Thomas was the son of an Air Force captain who died in Vietnam. Today's viewing ends at 6 p-m. A memorial service takes place tomorrow at Kemper Arena.