NFL: Joe Thomas retiring

[Blackhawkswincup]

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[Ivan13]

So sad he wasted his career on what might be the worst run franchise in all of NA sports. Fantastic player, who will hopefully get one of those ugly jackets.

 

[Troy McClure]

The worst kept secret in Cleveland.

Between him going on a full media blitz doing more interviews than ever, starting a podcast, getting into writing, and tweeting stuff about players and contracts in ways he never did before, it was clear where his mind was going.

But holy hell was he great. First ballot Hall of Famer great. The guy stepped on the field as a rookie and didn't miss one snap until his last. He was the model left tackle. It's a terrible shame he played for some terrible owners who made his entire career one of nothing but observing front office chaos.

 

[Terry Yake]

hard not to feel bad for the guy

probably the greatest OT of this generation and the browns only had a winning season one time during his 11 year career, his rookie season

 

[InjuredChoker]

 

[TNT87]

Truly one of the all time greats.

 

[rangerssharks414]

He's a Hall of Famer for sure.

 

[Troy McClure]

 

[Troy McClure]

 

[le_sean]

Of course poor Joe has to retire the year the Browns acquire a bunch of talent.

 

[Pestilence]

I get that you’re tough, want to win, want to play... but like, still, why continue your career when it’s already that bad?

 

[Voight]

Would have gone a perfect 11 for 11 in Pro Bowls had he not been hurt. One of the high Browns picks who actually worked out.

Kudos for never demanding a trade and trying to force his way out.

 

[YEM]

favre has the record as the iron man, but in my mind, Thomas with Cleveland for 11 straight horrendous years is the true NFL's iron man

 

[tony d]

Such a talented player, to bad he never got to play for a winner during his career,

 

[Trap Jesus]

favre has the record as the iron man, but in my mind, Thomas with Cleveland for 11 straight horrendous years is the true NFL's iron man

Not missing a snap up until that injury this year effectively ended his career is honestly one of the most remarkable things in sports history. That's more impressive than any other longevity record as far as I'm concerned. Like, did the guy never need a breather? Never took a shot that winded him? It's insane for a guy going up against 300 pound behemoths every play to never need it.

And not just to play the snaps, but be consistently elite for his entire career. Also goes to show that no matter how good you are, even at a position that many consider to be one of the most important, it's tough for one player to change the fortunes of a team. 38-113 with him in the lineup after that 10-6 season they had when he was a rookie.