Joe Thomas stands amongst the immortals in Canton
Published August 5th 4:43 EDT
by Bo Marchionte
Canton, OH – Looking out the press box windows perched high above Tom Benson Hall of Fall Stadium in Canton, you’re able to see the traffic on Interstate 77 bustlingly pass headed north and south. On the horizon behind the giant stage that houses the Hall of Fame players, is a sprawling campus coming to life in Canton, Ohio.
The old entrance of the Pro Football Hall of Fame steps that once held the enshrinement ceremonies is now not a functional entry or exit unless in an emergency. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is massively expanding like the enshrinement classes themselves.
This class brings a gritty quality to it. It’s meat and potatoes. The glamorous positions most fans grow accustomed to knowing could have a hard time identifying with some of the players earning their place amongst the immortals of professional football.
Who are the 2023 NFL Hall of Fame inductees?
This year there are eight former players being inducted into the Hall of Fame: Ronde Barber, Darrelle Revis, Joe Thomas, Zach Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, Chuck Howley (senior committee), Joe Klecko (senior) and Ken Riley (senior). Coach Don Coryell will be enshrined in the coach/contributor category.
Each of the individuals that had the opportunity to unveil their bronze busts in front of fans, family coaches and teammates shared different stories on their journey that all led them to this final football destination at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Those honored at the Hall of Fame this afternoon deserve a standing ovation for creating lasting memories of the game we love.
Highlighting those who impacted my love for the game of football.
ZACH THOMAS HALL OF FAME SPEECH HIGHLIGHTS
The Dolphins made Thomas the 154th pick of the 1996 NFL Draft and became the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year that season, an impressive feat since he was drafted in the same class as fellow Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis. Thomas spent the majority of his 13-year career in Miami (1996-2007) before capping it with a final season in Dallas (2008).
“Exactly 25 years ago today on August 5th in 1996 Jimmy Johnson named me starting middle linebacker for the Miami Dolphins,” Thomas said in his opening of his enshrinement speech. “All you need is one chance and Jimmy gave that to me. I was a kid who didn’t look the part.”
Under 6-feet tall the 5-foot-11 and 235-pound Thomas was short and stocky. His hustle and persistence to make every play propelled him past those who had the luxury of incredible measurables but lacked the determination to excel in the NFL.
“He’s not your prototypical, big, strong linebacker that runs like the wind,” Jimmy Johnson said in his pre-recorded presentation, “but he performed.”
Throughout his 12-year stretch with the Dolphins, Thomas led the team in tackles in 10 seasons and racked up 100 tackles in each of his first 11 seasons. It was that production that most remember him by was his impeccable ability to stack on play after the next.
“I’m supporting my man Zach Thomas” O.J. McDuffie said his former Dolphins teammate.
One of the all-time greats of the Miami Dolphins and finally getting his due at the Hall of Fame. Of course, being from Cleveland I’m here to support Joe Thomas getting into the hall.
“So, he came to the All-American Banquet and was trying to introduce himself to me. Man, I said I know who you are. You had 22 tackles against Penn State. I didn’t like you until today. We’ve been cool ever since.”
McDuffie laughed, sharing the story of his beloved teammate who was supporting at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in Canton, Ohio.
Thomas was voted first-team All-Pro five times (1998-99, 2002-03, 2006), second-team All-Pro twice (2001, 2005), was selected to seven Pro Bowls (2000-04, 2006-07) and named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s. He was the first player in Dolphins’ history to win the Leadership Award (voted by teammates) three times.
JOE KLECKO HALL OF FAME SPEECH HIGHLIGHTS
Joe Thomas was the hometown hero in Canton, Ohio playing his 11 seasons in Cleveland with the Browns. It was another Joe in Klecko that appeared to dominate the fan base of support. Once Klecko exited the stage the front rows of seats became empty. Gang green was in the house well at least when prior and during Klecko’s speech.
“For 30 years I’ve been waiting to give this speech,” Klecko said. “From the moment the greatest Jet of all-time Joe Namath knocked on my door I’ve been reflecting on my football life.”
His football was unique in its beginning and ending with the greatest individual accomplishment of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Klecko was not given any scholarships after leaving St. James High School in Chester, Pennsylvania.
With no scholarships to play football, Klecko went to work at a trucking company. He was invited to try out for the semi-pro team the Astin Knights. His girlfriend at the time and now wife (Debbie) was given the credit for Klecko standing on stage in Canton.
“I got cold feet,” Klecko said about going through with the tryout. “She suddenly grabbed my keys out of the ignition and threw them out the window. I said, ‘what the heck did you do that for’? Needless to when I went out to try to get the keys. A guy saw me and said Joe, ‘come on over.’
Klecko ended up trying out for the team and made. A college career at Temple would eventually follow and led him to become the 1981 Defensive Player of the Year (UPI). The only player in NFL history to be selected to the Pro Bowl at all three positions across the defensive line. Klecko was the force that brought the New York Jets defensive line to the limelight during the 1980s. The “New York Sack Exchange” led by Klecko led him to be a fan favorite around the league.
After 11 seasons with the Jets, Klecko played for one year with the Indianapolis Colts. He retired with 78 career sacks in 155 games.
JOE THOMAS HALL OF FAME SPEECH HIGHLIGHTS
I feel compelled to share a story when working with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the summer of 2017. St. John Fisher University is where the Buffalo Bills conduct their training camp and visiting scouts would be invited upstairs to the film room and take notes on practices etc. The Bills had practice tape against Thomas and without question watching him was pure poetry in motion. Fast forward and rewind. Every single rep he was a blueprint of technique and execution.
“An artist at the position,” ESPN’s Chris Berman said of Thomas was exactly what I was trying to relate to readers.
He was selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2010s, his 10,363 consecutive snaps were added to the Browns Ring of Honor at FirstEnergy Stadium in 2018 and he was inducted into the Cleveland Browns Legends program in 2022 for the indelible impact he left on the franchise.
“I want to talk about that random number 10,363,” Thomas began his speech. “That’s how many consecutive snaps I had during my career. From my first snap as a rookie in 2007 to my last snap when I tore my triceps tendon. That is how long this journey has been.”
The journey led Thomas to be one of four other NFL players to make the Pro Bowl in their first ten seasons. Those who accomplished the feat are Merlin Olson, Mel Renfro, Barry Sanders, and Lawrence Taylor. All Hall of Fame players.
“That number 10,363 is special to me in a lot of ways,” Thomas said. Not just because it’s an NFL record but it shows 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.”
Thomas showed up time and time again for a franchise that failed to deliver a quality team around his impeccable talent. He helped the team to a 10-6 record – the only winning record the franchise had during his tenure and the first for the team since it re-entered the League in 1999.
For those who know me personally, his 10,363 is a number I’ll be chasing.
Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com
