CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – A year before he is expected to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame in Canton, Joe Thomas will be added to the Browns Legends Club along with Darrel “Pete” Brewster.
The team made the announcement Thursday morning.
“We always appreciate the opportunity to celebrate our alumni at the start of the season and throughout the year. Darrell ‘Pete’ Brewster and Joe Thomas are incredibly deserving of becoming Browns Legends, and we commend them for their commitment to the team on the field and community off of it,” Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. “While each Legends ceremony is special, this year is definitely memorable for our family because of how much time we have spent with Joe and personally seeing his dedication to excellence in all areas. We know how much Joe means to our fans, and we also look forward to celebrating with him, Annie and their family in Canton soon.”
Thomas, selected third overall in the 2007 NFL Draft, was 10-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle, who played 10,363 consecutive snaps over his 11-year career that saw the team go just 48-128 in his career and block for 19 different starting quarterbacks.
“It feels amazing,” Thomas said. “The pride that I have as a former Cleveland Brown and Browns alumni is unlimited, and now being able to be in the most exclusive club among Browns alumni is incredibly special to me.
“Just being able to come back and see the greatest fanbase in football, being in front of them and having a warm reception in spite of the fact that, in the years I played here, weren’t really successful, it feels like there’s a connection that’s deeper than ‘player-fan,’. It feels like a familial bond. It’s without condition. It’s ‘we love you, period.’”
In retirement, Thomas has launched a successful media career where he serves as the Browns preseason television analyst and works for NFL Network among other podcast and broadcast ventures.
Brewster played defensive end and tight end for Cleveland from 1952-1958.
A two-time Pro Bowler and second-round draft pick in 1952, he was one of legendary QB Otto Graham’s favorite targets and had 210 career receptions for 3,758 yards and 21 touchdowns. He won NFL Championships with the Browns in 1954 and 1955.
Brewster, who resided in Missouri after his retirement from football, passed away in January 2020 at the age of 89.
“Our family is ecstatic that our father has been chosen to receive the incredible honor of being inducted into the Cleveland Browns Legends,” Debbie Wildeisen, Brewster’s daughter, said. “Our hearts are full! We are both humbled and proud that he is being recognized for his contributions to the team that was so instrumental to his professional career and close to his heart.”
The duo will be honored at halftime of the team’s home opener September 18 against the Jets.