The Cleveland Browns have lived in the basement of the AFC for years. The franchise has not had many bright spots throughout the years. But on Thursday night, the franchise and fans got to celebrate one of the bright spots. Joe Thomas, the 3rd pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, was elected to the Hall Of Fame. In his first year of eligibility, the former Browns left tackle received the call and it comes as no surprise to anyone. Widely regarded as the best Left Tackle in the league during his 11-year career, Thomas is the only offensive player to be enshrined this year. Thomas becomes the 18th Browns player to receive the honor of HOF, and the first since Mac Speedie in 2020.
Thank you for everything, Cleveland. See you in Canton! pic.twitter.com/24pV7uG3kR
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) February 10, 2023
Thomas was undeniably reliable
Thomas was the face of the Browns franchise during his tenure. One of the most beloved players to the fans and teammates, Joe was the one player you knew you could count on. Not only did he play every game, but he played every snap. With the longest consecutive snap streak in NFL history, 10,363, Thomas proved day in and day out that he was the constant. The one player, even on a bad franchise, that was not only going to play, but give his all and be the best. He didn’t get hurt, he didn’t allow sacks, he didn’t get (many) penalties, he didn’t have contract disputes and hold outs. Joe Thomas played.
One of the many things that pains me on a personal level is that he played at a time when the franchise was just not able to figure things out. However, Thomas was always the one player, the Browns didn’t have to worry about. We may not have had a franchise QB, but we certainly had the Left Tackle to protect if had gotten one.
Accolades
Through his 11 year career, Thomas is a 10 time Pro Bowler, and a 6 time First Team All Pro. Named to the 2007 All-Rookie team, and came in second in the ROY voting. (He was the only other player to receive votes besides the winner Adrian Peterson). His streak of 10 consecutive Pro Bowls is the most ever by an Offensive Lineman. In 2015, Thomas won the Bruce Mathews Award as the best Offensive Lineman in the league. He was voted in the NFL Top 100 from 2011- 2017.
Joe Thomas was just one of the greats. He endured all the losing, not going to the playoffs, he was on the team when the Browns went 1-15. He saw all the pain the Browns faithful had to endure. Through it all he stuck around and made us feel like the kid from Wisconsin was and is one of us. If you go to a Browns game, even today you will see jerseys with number 73 sprinkled throughout. That’s how good and how respected Thomas is. Not a skill player, but people thought so highly of Thomas, they bought his jersey. That, is the ultimate sign of love in this town and Joe, from Cleveland, we love you, we appreciate you. Congratulations on your selection to the Hall Of Fame!! You got a win you deserved!
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