CANTON, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – They saved the best for last.
No. 73 is now Hall of Famer No. 369.
On a hot, sun splashed Saturday afternoon in Canton, Ohio, Joe Thomas took his place among the game’s greats as the final member of the Class of 2023 to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“It's really impossible to describe the feeling standing up here in front of all of your childhood idols, many of whom hung from the walls on posters when you were a kid in your bedroom,” Thomas said as he began his induction speech that paid tribute to his family, friends, coaches and teammates at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. “It's just an incredible feeling and I'm not sure if it will ever feel like we actually belong in this incredibly elite club of the greatest of all time football players.”
Thomas became the 18th Cleveland Brown to be enshrined in Canton.
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Over 11 seasons, Thomas was a stalwart.
Stoutly built. Sturdy and robust. Strong and brave. Valiant. Loyal. Hardworking. Dependable.
That was Joe Thomas.
“I'm fiercely proud to have spent my entire career with you,” Thomas said, acknowledging loyal Browns fans.
“The most loyal group of people I know, and I don't think it's going to be argued by anybody.,” Thomas said. “You guys are the heartbeat of the Cleveland Browns, and it was truly my honor to be able to represent you on and off the field for 11 seasons.”
The Browns won just 48 of the 167 games he played, and 10 of those came during his 2007 rookie season.
Regardless of who the coach or starting quarterback was, every Sunday No. 73 lined up at left tackle. Amid the chaos, Thomas was the north star.
Named to a franchise record 10 Pro Bowls, the six-time All-Pro left tackle played what is believed to be a record 10,363 consecutive snaps.
“From my first snap as a rookie in 2007 to my last snap when I tore my triceps tendon that's how long this journey has been,” Thomas said. “That number 10,363 is special to me in a lot of ways, and not just because it's an NFL record, but because it shows that I was there for my brothers 10,363 times in a row. They could count on me. Being an offensive lineman is all about being a servant and showing up for everybody else. Loyalty, consistency, doing something bigger than yourself, showing up for the man next to you. Those were the values that I learned at an early age, and those were the values that I took onto the football field.
“I was so lucky throughout my career, obviously, to be able to play more than 10,000 snaps in a row, there's a lot of luck; no chinstraps breaking, no shoelaces going untied, no little cramps, no contacts falling out, got Lasik my rookie year so that wouldn't happen. But really I feel like the thing I was the most lucky from during my career in my life was the family that raised me, my friends that were a part of this journey, my coaches that taught me the details of this sport and many others. My teachers who cared for me and cared about me, my teammates who showed me the same love and compassion that I tried to show them. Certainly wouldn't be on this stage here today without all those people that have helped shape me into the player that I was and the man that I am today.”
Through injuries and even a failed attempt to give him a break during a rare blowout against the Steelers, Thomas was immovable and dominant.
“If you notice, I didn't mention any of my backup left tackles,” Thomas said. “I'm sorry about that. Never gave you an opportunity to go on the field and show what you could do, but I did make you take all my practice reps.”
Over 11 seasons, Thomas played for six head coaches – Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini, Pat Shurmur, Rob Chudzinski, Mike Pettine and Hue Jackson.
“I had six. Can you believe that? I had nine offensive coordinators in only 11 years,” Thomas said. “Each one of you guys gave me something on the field and off the field that I've taken with me and I'll take with me the rest of my life.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Thomas allowed just 30 sacks in 6,680 pass-block snaps – a rate of just 0.004%. The analytics website listed Thomas’ career pass block grade at 95.9.
Thomas credited his many offensive line coaches – Jim Huber, Bob Palcic, Steve Marshall, Mike Sullivan, George Warhop, Andy Moeller, George DeLeone, Hal Hunter, Mark Hutson and Bob Wylie – for his success.
“You guys taught me the technique and that sense of urgency that as an offensive lineman, we can't win the game on any one play, but we sure as hell can lose a game on one play, especially when you're going against a guy like right there, DeMarcus Ware, because he’ll wreck your game in one play,” Thomas said. “Pucker factor is a real deal when you're an offensive lineman. Every play matters.”
Thomas blocked for a record 20 different starting quarterbacks throughout his career, also one of the more distinguishable facets of his career that he has cone to embrace with humor.
“To my quarterbacks, all of them, 20, yes, I blocked for more different starting quarterbacks than any player in NFL history,” Thomas said. “What an honor. No matter who was back there or what our circumstances were, which sometimes were tough. Some of them were your fault. I'm not going to lie, but I won't call out which ones. You guys still laid it all on the line for your team and that was always very special to me. And hey, if you ever had a good left tackle, you may have survived more than one season or one game in some cases, or you may have even survived long enough for me to learn your name. Sorry, Josh Johnson.”
Thomas played with countless teammates over the years but he took time to thank his closest friends – Alex Mack, Jason Pinkston, Mitchell Schwartz, John Greco, Hank Fraley, Eric Steinbach, and Joel Bitonio.
“We were in the trenches when it was 95 degrees in August, when it was December, and there were snowstorms flying off the beaches of Lake Erie, whipping around Cleveland Browns Stadium,” Thomas said. “The misery that bonds offensive lineman as brothers for life, it's something that people who've never played the position can't really understand.”
Thomas’ most touching tribute was saved for his wife and children.
“Annie, you are my rock. Your support is unshakable, and I would not be here without you,” Thomas said. “You’ve lived through the losses, the injuries, the new coaches, the times when I was too worn out to even speak or lift my head. You’ve been my generous and understanding soul mate, and the best mother our four kids could ever have. And I'm just grateful that they look like you, and not like an offensive lineman.
“To Logan, Camryn, Jack and Reese. Do you remember eating peanuts off the concrete floor in Cleveland Browns' stadium? I know your mom remembers. You were all such a blessing to me during my career. I would come home after a tough day and you would be there with smiles on your faces, just wanting to hang out with “daddy” and you continue to bring so much joy, happiness and purpose to my life.”
Thomas, who also thanked his agent and friend Peter Schaffer, ended his speech with a message for Browns fans that encapsulated his career.
“It's the greatest honor of my career to be able to accept this lifetime award on behalf of all of Browns nation,” Thomas said. “Cleveland, you could always count on me. Thank you so much for allowing me to count on you. Don't forget to keep showing up for each other.”