Cleveland Browns: Joe Thomas up for local award

The Cleveland Browns have one of the most loyal players in the NFL in Joe Thomas, and he has been nominated for a local award among Cleveland athletes.

Even after so many years of losing and constant changes all throughout the organization, Joe Thomas has remained a constant for the Cleveland Browns.

He never misses a game, let alone a single snap, and provides the Browns with a star player on an otherwise lackluster team.

Thomas’ success has been recognized by yet another Pro Bowl appearance, and he is also up for a local award, being a Professional Athlete of the Year finalist in the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards. The other finalists are LeBron James, Stipe Miocic, and Francisco Lindor.

Going up against a NBA champion, a UFC champion, and a Gold Glove award winner doesn’t bode well for Thomas’ chances of winning, but it is nice to see him recognized for his work with the Browns.

Picking a representative from this year’s Browns team is not easy, but Thomas is the clear choice. HIs durability and overall ability to be a stable member of an unstable offensive unit is why he is considered one of the best offensive lineman in football, and one of the greatest players to ever wear a Browns uniform.

Thomas is not likely to win this specific award, but being named a finalist is still a major accomplishment based on the competition. The award in general shows how many stars there are representing the city across the world of professional sports, which should make any Cleveland sports fan happy.

The Browns are hopefully in the midst of a turnaround, and Thomas looks to be a major factor in the future success. This is a familiar narrative for fans who have been waiting over a decade for a playoff team, but hope is all one can do right now.

Next: What should the Browns do with Crowell?

The award will be handed out Thursday and while Thomas may not win, his name belongs among the competition.