The fourth time was the appeal for Zach Thomas.
The nice Miami Dolphins linebacker is sure for the Pro Football Hall of Fame as considered one of 5 modern-day gamers elected Thursday evening at NFL Honors awards ceremony. Thomas was a four-time finalist for the Hall who was held out the primary three situations.
In amongst 15 finalists from the fashionable period, Thomas — who was on the poll for 10 years — and the remainder of the nine-man 2023 class shall be enshrined into the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio in August.
“I am truly honored and humbled to be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Thomas mentioned in an announcement launched by the Dolphins. “Growing up in Texas, I dreamed of playing football at any level. To have played at Texas Tech and then be drafted by the Dolphins was the ultimate. It was indeed a dream come true. I want to thank my family for all the sacrifices they made for me over the years. I could never have accomplished this without your love and support. Thank you to all of my teammates. Each of you made me a better player and are a big part of where I am today. I’m looking forward to celebrating this with all of you. Thanks to all my coaches, trainers and equipment staff for helping this honor become a reality. Lastly, I want to thank the Dolphins fans. Your support means everything to me.”
The different modern-day gamers elected have been offensive sort out Joe Thomas, cornerback Darrelle Revis, edge defender Demarcus Ware and cornerback Ronde Barber. Others in have been Don Coryell, Ken Riley, Joe Klecko and Chuck Howley.
Thomas is the eleventh participant or coach from the Dolphins to get into the Hall of Fame.
“On behalf of the entire Dolphins organization and our fans around the world, I want to congratulate Zach on his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” mentioned Dolphins proprietor Steve Ross in an announcement. “It was a joy to watch him play the game. Zach’s accomplishments on the field made him one of the greatest players in NFL history. His development from a fifth-round draft choice to a perennial Pro Bowl selection to receiving the most prestigious honor this game has to offer is a testament to his ability as both a player and a student of the game. As great as he was on the field, he is even better as a family man and a role model. We look forward to celebrating with him in Canton.”
Thomas, in his illustrious 13-year profession, totaled 1,734 tackles, 20 1/2 sacks, 17 interceptions, 14 pressured fumbles and 4 touchdowns. Thomas obtained All-Pro honors seven occasions — 5 as a first-teamer — and made seven Pro Bowls. He is also a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.
He was the 1996 AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year and went on to steer the NFL in tackles twice.
With a resume similar to that of Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, who was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2018, the Hall’s Selection Committee has been criticized for the wait imposed on Thomas. The solely center linebacker who was clearly extra spectacular than Thomas throughout his period was Ray Lewis, who was additionally a first-ballot inductee.
Thomas paid no thoughts to the occasions he didn’t get the nod.
“I am grateful that I got this opportunity to get in because it’s hard to get in. It’s very hard,” he advised reporters Thursday. “I’m finally in, man. You can’t take me out. I’m very blessed.”
In a social media video posted by the Dolphins, although, he empathized together with his followers and supporters that made the case for him all of the years he didn’t get in: “You don’t have to vent no more about me not making the Hall of Fame.”
Another video circulated of former Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson shocking Thomas with phrase that he was a Hall of Fame inductee, surrounded by Thomas’ household and associates.
“It was powerful,” Thomas mentioned. “I see Jimmy in a gold jacket just standing there and, man, I broke down. I cried, even thinking about it now, and I really appreciate that guy.”
Thomas mentioned Johnson, who additionally introduced his identify at NFL Honors Thursday evening, shall be his presenter in Canton in August.
In Thomas’ 12 years with the Dolphins (he completed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2008), he anchored the most effective defenses within the NFL, particularly from 2000 to 2003. During that span, Miami ranked third, eleventh, fourth and third in scoring protection. Former Dolphins star go rusher Jason Taylor, who anchored that protection alongside Thomas, was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 2017.
Thomas turns into the third Dolphins defensive participant inducted, together with Taylor and linebacker Nick Buoniconti. Other Dolphins enshrined embrace coach Don Shula, fullback Larry Csonka, quarterback Bob Griese, heart Jim Langer, guard Larry Little, quarterback Dan Marino, heart Dwight Stephenson and large receiver Paul Warfield.
Among different gamers of native curiosity to South Florida, former Miami Hurricanes standouts Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne and Devin Hester weren’t inducted into the 2023 class after being finalists.
During the awards ceremony Thursday evening, Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill was considered one of 4 finalists for AP Offensive Player of the Year, but it surely was gained by Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson.
While Dolphins outdoors linebacker Jaelan Phillips was the group’s nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, the respect was given to Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
San Francisco 49ers defensive finish Nick Bosa, a former St. Thomas Aquinas standout, gained AP Defensive Player of the Year.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who will face the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday’s Super Bowl, gained his second MVP.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com