After his playing days ended a few years ago former Badger Joe Thomas made a fast transition to post-NFL life, as he joined NFL Network in their Thursday Night Football coverage and started a podcast with his former teammate with the Browns Andrew Hawkins.
This week Thomas took his retirement life to another level, and checked off a box not many expected.
That being his participation in NBC’s The Titan Games, a show hosted by Dwayne Johnson where participants go through a series of physically-demanding tasks as they try to reach the top of their “Mount Olympus.”
.@Matt1Chan is giving it his all, but @joethomas73 won't be giving up that easily! #TitanGames pic.twitter.com/LJrY1LHgdD
— The Titan Games (@nbctitangames) May 26, 2020
The footage speaks for itself. Thomas went from a playing weight of around 310 pounds to where he is now about 50 pounds lighter, and finishing an obstacle course many of us could not dream of completing.
Thomas even compared the three-minute course to walking off the field at the end of a long September game in Florida.
One time through that course was only like 3 minutes, but the exhaustion level was the same as walking off the field after a September Florida game against @JasonTaylor https://t.co/PkXuSJVE03
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) May 26, 2020
The Twitter conversation was buzzing after the episode aired and Thomas’ podcast co-host joined the conversation and sent his congratulations to the former Badger.
My run as the biggest star on @ThomaHawkShow had a damn good run over the last month.
Unfortunetly, with @nbctitangames (hosted by @TheRock) premiering tonight and subsoquently making @joethomas73 a household name…
All good things must come to an end.
🗣LETS GO!! pic.twitter.com/vtgntnpAgZ
— Andrew Hawkins (@Hawk) May 25, 2020
I don’t think the argument can ever be heard again that offensive linemen aren’t athletes too.