CLEVELAND -- So much for respect from the adopted hometown of Cleveland!
Former left tackle Joe Thomas was celebrated with a press conference/sendoff from the Cleveland Browns inside the Casey Coleman Fieldhouse on Monday afternoon, but mere hours later, his autograph was not wanted by a fan during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 124-117 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at Quicken Loans Arena.
Thomas was awaiting an interview with Allie Clifton of Fox Sports Ohio when a fan requested her autograph on the game program. After obliging, Clifton went to hand the program to Thomas for a signature, but the fan declined the autograph from the future member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Although that was an awkward moment, Thomas soaked up plenty of love from the 20,562 Cavaliers fans that packed Quicken Loans Arena for a key battle within both the Central Division and Eastern Conference.
First, there was a standing ovation as the Cavaliers aired a tribute video to him on Humongotron.
A standing ovation from The Q, a bear hug from @KingJames.
A Cleveland @Browns legend forever.
Thank you, @JoeThomas73.#ThankYou73 pic.twitter.com/fLgA7liWBR
And then, there was a congratulatory hug from Cavaliers small forward LeBron James.
🏀Cleveland legends embrace!🏈
“It means a lot to get respect from the G.O.A.T. in basketball,” Thomas told Fox Sports Ohio of the recognition from James. “Obviously, LeBron is an unbelievable icon, a hero of mine, so to have respect from a guy like that really means a lot.”
To James, it was a simple way of showing respect to a player who did not miss a single snap over his first 10-plus years with the Browns, participating in what is believed to be an NFL-record 10,363 consecutive plays after being selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of the University of Wisconsin.
In December of 2016, Thomas was selected to his 10th consecutive Pro Bowl, and went 10 for 10 in all-star game nods over his first decade as a professional. With that final selection, Thomas became the first Browns player ever chosen to participate in 10 Pro Bowls.
“What he gave to that franchise and all the losing, just to be consistent every, single Sunday, knowing that if it’s one guy that’s going to be in uniform, it’s going to be Joe Thomas,” James said.
“Not only in uniform, but every, single snap. Come on. He’s a legend around here, that’s for sure, and he’ll be in the hall very soon. The good thing about it is he doesn’t have to travel that far to get to the hall. It’s right down the street.”
