CLEVELAND -- Former Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas took his rightful place among the best players in franchise history during the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Thomas was honored when the team enshrined the number “10,363” into the Browns’ Ring of Honor at FirstEnergy Stadium in honor of his consecutive snaps played before suffering a career-ending injury last October.
“From the moment I was drafted, you guys welcomed me with open arms, took me in as one of your own, and for 11 seasons, I got to play in front of the greatest fans in NFL history, the most loyal fans in NFL history, and we’re going to take this thing all the way to the Super Bowl,” Thomas said after the number was unveiled.
“This is the greatest honor that any player could ever have playing in this stadium, in front of these fans. All of you deserve a huge chant. Get up on your feet and let’s lead this team onto victory today.”
After addressing the crowd, Thomas led them in the chant of “Here we go, Brownies, here we go! Woof Woof!”
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 with the Browns. With that selection, Thomas became the first Browns player ever selected to participate in 10 Pro Bowls.
Thomas joined an elite group of athletes with the 10th straight selection, as defensive tackle Merlin Olsen (Los Angeles Rams), defensive back/running back Mel Renfro (Dallas Cowboys), running back Barry Sanders (Detroit Lions) and linebacker Lawrence Taylor (New York Giants) are the only other players who went 10 for 10 in Pro Bowl appearances over their first decade in the NFL.
“I think what he has done, the way he played, the way that he conducted himself with class within this organization, the way he conducted himself out in the community and all of the good things that he did for this football team will never be forgotten,” Browns coach Hue Jackson said earlier in the week.
“Joe Thomas is a class person and a great, great football player.”
In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Thomas was recognized for his efforts to help in the community.
Thomas remains the only player in Browns history to be the organization’s Walter Payton Man of the Year on multiple occasions. Thomas was honored with the award in 2010, 2012 and 2016, and was a finalist for the 2012 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
Also, Thomas is the only player in Browns history to be selected for the PFWA (Pro Football Writers’ Association) Dino Lucarelli Good Guy Award multiple times and was a two-time Browns Player of the Year choice by the local chapter of the PFWA.
Thomas received the Browns’ Salute to Service Award in both 2016 and 2017, created a program to give game tickets to members of the USO of Northern Ohio, and once made a 10,000-mile, week-long trip to military installations in the Middle East to visit with troops as part of the NFL/USO Tour.
Thomas and his wife, Annie, have given support to numerous charitable organizations in Northeast Ohio, including the Cleveland Kids in Need Resource Center, Providence House, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Cleveland Animal Protective League (APL).
“I think Joe is going to be in the Hall of Fame someday, so for him to go in the Ring of Honor for his snap count and just what he has done for the city and the work he has put in for Cleveland is pretty cool,” left guard Joel Bitonio said.
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