Miami Dolphins fans have been campaigning hard for the past several seasons in an attempt to get former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas the respect he deserves — in the form of enshrinement to Canton, Ohio as a Pro Football Hall of Famer. The public outcry hasn’t yielded the desired result just yet, but Thomas made progress towards that goal in 2020 by advancing to become a finalist for the first time.
But Thomas has more supporters who remember this legacy as a member of the Miami Dolphins than just fans — including former quarterback Peyton Manning, who frequently offered praise for the Dolphins linebacker. When asked ahead of his 2014 Super Bowl with the Broncos which defender gave him the most trouble on the field, Manning pointed to Thomas.
“Zach Thomas was one,” he said.
So when Manning hit the golf course this weekend for “The Match” alongside Tom Brady, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods; was it really any big surprise when Manning referred to his 54 degree wedge as a “Zach Thomas”?
Peyton Manning with a “54, Zach Thomas” reference 😂🐬 #TheMatch pic.twitter.com/OfxZz13Ogr
— Will Manso (@WillManso) May 24, 2020
Not Brian Urlacher, who Manning bested in his first Super Bowl win and was honored as a first ballot Hall of Fame defender. Not Tedy Bruschi, who served as a defensive staple for the Patriots teams that Manning would duel three times in the postseason with Bruschi at the MIKE.
Zach Thomas. Thomas himself would never campaign for Canton, he’s far too humble for such an approach. But Manning’s persistence in calling out Thomas as an all-time great — much like Thomas used to call out Manning’s plays at the line of scrimmage — is the latest and greatest feather in the cap of anyone pushing for a Zach Thomas bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame sooner rather than later.