Tag: Joe Thomas

Wisconsin legend Joe Thomas inducted into the Cleveland Browns’ Ring Of Honor

Wisconsin legend Joe Thomas was honored on Sunday:

It was a big weekend for former Wisconsin Badgers in the NFL. Two of the program’s recently retired legends were honored by their franchises at halftime of Sunday’s games — first defensive end J.J. Watt by the Houston Texans, and now offensive tackle Joe Thomas by the Cleveland Browns.

Thomas retired from the NFL after the 2017 season. He did so as arguably one of the greatest tackles in the sport’s history. His 11-year career included 10 Pro Bowls, six First-Team All-Pro honors and an NFL record streak of 10,363 consecutive snaps

After being inducted into the NFL Hall Of Fame a few months ago, the former Badger was back in Cleveland on Sunday to be inducted into the Browns’ Ring Of Honor:

Wisconsin is OLU and here are the numbers to prove it

Wisconsin is OLU and here are the numbers to prove it

Wisconsin football has been known for a few key positions throughout the past few decades, but arguably none more than the offensive line. The Badgers have been one of the nation’s top offensive line schools since the Barry Alvarez era, and has produced a number of fantastic pros at the position.

The Badgers recently posted numbers that show just how much of an offensive line factory UW is. Since 1993, the Badgers have had 30 offensive lineman drafted, which is tied for first overall in the Big Ten during that time period. Of those picks, seven went in the first round while 20 of the 30 went in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft.

Joe Thomas, one of the greatest players to ever come out of Wisconsin, headlined the graphic fresh off of his recent NFL Hall of Fame induction:

WATCH: Browns legend Joe Thomas is inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

One of the best Cleveland Browns of all time received the ultimate honors Saturday

There was never any doubt after former Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas retired that he wouldn’t be a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. On Saturday, that day finally came as Thomas was enshrined in bronze forever in Canton, Ohio. He got emotional thanking everyone that helped him along the way his parents, his children, and his wife Annie who he credited with being his rock.

Thomas talked about being accepted by Cleveland from the moment he stepped off the plane and how the values of the town matched those he grew up with. At the end of the speech he thanked Cleveland for everything and always being there despite losses piling up.

Let’s take a look at the highlights from the Browns legend’s big day.

LOOK: Wisconsin legend Joe Thomas inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

It was awesome to see Joe Thomas inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend:

It was a big week for the Wisconsin football program. First, training camp began at UW-Platteville as the team prepares under new Head Coach Luke Fickell for the 2023 season.

Second, which I don’t necessarily love, Oregon and Washington finalized plans to join the Big Ten in 2024 along with former Pac 12 counterparts USC and UCLA.

And third, most importantly, Wisconsin legend Joe Thomas was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Regarded as arguably the best offensive tackle of the generation, and one of the best in Wisconsin Badger history, Thomas played 11 seasons for the cellar-dwelling Cleveland Browns. Despite the team’s record and blocking for more than 20 quarterbacks over the course of his career, Thomas earned First-Team All-Pro honors six times, Second-Team All-Pro honors twice and made 10 Pro Bowls.

Now, he’s immortalized in Canton, Ohio:

WATCH: Wisconsin legend Joe Thomas’ path to the NFL Hall Of Fame

A great look at Thomas’ path to Canton:

Football is officially back. Not the college variety, unfortunately. But last night was the annual NFL Hall Of Fame game. The Browns beat the Jets 21-16 as the NFL’s 2023 Hall Of Fame class was officially announced.

Among those names is Wisconsin legend Joe Thomas. The Brookfield, Wisconsin native earned his induction only six years after playing his final NFL season in 2017.

The 10-time Pro Bowler, six-time First Team All-Pro and two-time Second Team All-Pro offensive tackle has a fascinating path from Brookfield, to Madison, and to Cleveland where despite the team losing every season, he was inarguably the NFL’s best tackle of the generation.

The Wisconsin Football Twitter account, or ‘X’ I guess, put out a great video yesterday telling that story:

Thomas and the rest of the Class of 2023 will be officially enshrined in Canton, Ohio later this week.

Joe Thomas says Peyton Manning gave him a really gross way to force a theoretical Browns trade to the Broncos

It was all about “literally” making a stink on the Browns’ GM’s desk.

Joe Thomas, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend, played his entire, incredible career with the Cleveland Browns.

But could he have joined the Denver Broncos to help win a Super Bowl with Peyton Manning? While speaking with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he claimed that the quarterback tried to help get him to Denver with … a really gross idea.

Per Thomas, he didn’t think the Browns wanted to trade him at the time even though there might have been a fair deal in place. So Manning apparently told him, “Joe, I think you should go up to your GM’s office, and uh, make a stink. Literally, I want you to go up there, pull your pants down and make a stink on his desk because that’s the only way Cleveland will trade you.”

We know Peyton’s a funny guy. I don’t think he was being serious? Maybe??

Joe Thomas talks Hall of Fame, and shares his all-time NFL offensive line

Browns legend offensive lineman, Joe Thomas, speaks with USA TODAY Sports about the Hall of Fame.

Joe Thomas was one the best offensive linemen in NFL history. 

His resume is stellar, including 10 Pro Bowls, six First-team All-Pro selections – he’s a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, and this Saturday will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

With those credentials, there aren’t many better suited to provide an all-time offensive line list. 

Appearing with Mackenzie Salmon on USA TODAY’s Sports Seriously, the legendary Browns tackle ran down his top five. 

Thomas’ first selection was tackle Walter Jones, a nine-time Pro Bowler for the Seahawks who was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2014. 

Immediately after that pick, Thomas told Salmon that you “can’t vote for yourself. It’s like student council in fourth grade.” 

Jones’ teammate Steve Hutchinson was chosen as one of the guard positions; along with Steve Hutchinson, who starred for the Seahawks, Vikings and Titans. 

Mike Webster, who won four Super Bowls with the Steelers is the center, with 11-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Ogden rounding out the line at the other tackle position. 

Joe Thomas also told Sports Seriously about what it meant to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and even gave his thoughts on the upcoming Cleveland Browns season. 

To hear the entire Joe Thomas interview click on the link above.  

WATCH: Wisconsin legend Joe Thomas receives his gold jacket

WATCH: Wisconsin legend Joe Thomas receives his gold jacket

The gold jacket symbolizes the pinnacle of NFL football, and for Wisconsin legend Joe Thomas that dream of wearing one is finally a reality.

Thomas was the anchor of Wisconsin’s offensive line during his time in Madison, and was a first-team All-Big Ten performer twice while earning All-American honors in 2006 as a senior. He was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 draft by the Cleveland Browns and went on to have one of the best careers of any offensive lineman in NFL history.

Thomas earned his spot in the Hall of Fame class of 2023 and now gets to wear his gold jacket:

Joe Thomas will be final speaker at Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony

The former star tackle will close out next month’s ceremony

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The NFL has officially announced the order in which the players joining the Pro Football Hall of Fame will speak. First-ballot Hall of Famer and former Cleveland Browns left tackle will be the last to speak during the ceremony on August 5. There was no chance that Thomas wouldn’t be a first-ballot guy, especially with his record of 10,363 consecutive snaps during his time as a Brown.

It will be nice for Browns fans to see Joe join this exclusive club as one of the only bright spots they had since the return in 1999. With the ceremony coming soon that means we will soon see the Browns face off with the New York Jets in the Hall of Fame preseason game.

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Which current players have the best shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Browns: What current players have Pro Football Hall of Fame resumes?

With long-time offensive tackle Joe Thomas set to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in just three weeks, the Cleveland Browns have their first inductee since returning to the NFL in 1999. This got us thinking: which current players in the brown and orange have a shot at getting their own bust made once they hang up their cleats?

Here are a few players still building their resumes in Cleveland that have a shot of getting the legendary knock on their door once they retire from football.