When Betty Brown worked at Coors Brewing Company, the local distributor participated in a program that paid Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas $580 for every sack he made.
“That’s how I first met him and first got involved with him,” says Betty. The relationship she built with Derrick through this work later became the foundation for her leadership role.
Today, Betty Brown serves as the president of the Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith Third and Long Foundation, an organization dedicated to education, community support, and carrying on the legacy of two legendary Kansas City Chiefs players.
Betty did not originally seek out the position of president. Instead, she was asked to take on the role because she had a close relationship with Derrick and was one of the few people who could keep him on schedule.
“They made me president because Derrick and I were very close, and I could get him to be on time, which he never was,” Betty recalls. Once she understood the mission and impact of the foundation, she felt connected to the work.
“After I found out exactly what we were going to be doing, I wanted to be a part of it,” she says.
Being president holds deep meaning for Betty, who views the role as both an honor and a responsibility.
“It gives me a sense of pride and leadership,” she says.
In her view, a president must be someone who is humble, understanding, and willing to work with many different people. She believes leadership is not about power but about serving others and staying grounded.
The foundation supports the Northland and Kansas City metro communities through education and outreach programs. One major component is a tutoring program that provides after-school help for 58 students across two schools. The foundation also awards scholarships and supports community service activities for youth athletes, including football players and girls’ soccer teams. Betty takes great pride in the foundation’s continued reach.
She feels especially proud that the organization remains strong even after Derrick’s passing in 2000, noting that his best friend, Neil Smith, still serves as the chairman.
Betty has faced major challenges during her time as president, especially after Derrick Thomas’ tragic death. That period brought uncertainty about the foundation’s future.
“People wanted to pick things apart,” Betty recalls. “‘Are you doing a good job? Are you going to stay with the foundation? Who’s going to run it?’” Despite the pressure, she stayed committed. “I stood for it,” she says. “We just worked through it and made sure we did what we were supposed to do. We tried to pattern what Derrick started.”
Keeping Derrick’s legacy alive is one of Betty’s top priorities. She explained that Derrick cared deeply about giving kids opportunities they normally wouldn’t have access to.
“He always wanted to make sure the kids had a cultural event,” she says, describing trips to performances, camps, and football games that the foundation continues to offer.
Betty says her board members keep her motivated.
“My board has been there forever,” she says. “They have a passion for what we do.”
Looking forward, she wants the foundation to stay focused, consistent, and committed to doing things well.
“We don’t want to get too big,” she explains. “We just want to do the same things and do them better each year.”
If you want to read more about the Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith Third and Long Foundation, you can visit their website, thirdandlong.org. This story was produced in partnership with the Northland Center for Advance Professional Studies, or NCAPS, and was pitched, written and produced by local high school students. Amiah Battles contributed to this article by conducting the interview with Betty Brown.
“People wanted to pick things apart. I stood for it. We just worked through it and made sure we did what we were supposed to do. We tried to pattern what Derrick started.”
“We don’t want to get too big. We just want to do the same things and do them better each year.”