During his 13-year NFL career, linebacker Zach Thomas was one of the greatest players in the league, and there’s a chance that he’ll finally be recognized for his greatness in 2023.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame, after a delay due to the situation with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, announced their 15 modern-era player finalists for their 2023 class, and Thomas was among them.
Thomas spent 12 seasons with the Dolphins before ending his career with a one-year stint with the Dallas Cowboys in 2008. With Miami, he made the Pro Bowl seven times and was voted a first-team All-Pro five times.
1,734 total tackles, 20.5 sacks, 17 interceptions and 16 forced fumbles also earned him a pot on the Hall of Fame’s All-2000s team.
This is Thomas’ fourth straight year as a finalist, and with everything that he accomplished, he finally had his name called for Canton.
Thomas joined a class of incredible players, coaches and contributors who impacted the game, including Joe Thomas, Ronde Barber, Darrelle Revis, Demarcus Ware, Chuck Howley, Don Coryell, Ken Riley and Joe Klecko.
A familiar face got a chance to break the news to Thomas, as his coach from 1996-99, Jimmy Johnson, was there with loved ones to inform the linebacker of his fate.
