Cleveland Browns: Appreciate Joe Thomas before he’s gone
Joe Thomas, the iron man left tackle of the Cleveland Browns, has indicated the end of his career is coming sooner rather than later. Hopefully Browns fans will have one more season to show their appreciation.
Say it ain’t so Joe! I’ve known for a couple of years that Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas wouldn’t play forever. But his recent comments have made it clear that he has not made up his mind on whether to return in 2018.
In April 2007 the Cleveland Browns made Thomas the third-overall selection in the NFL draft. Where was Joe? Fishing with his Dad in Wisconsin. In 2007, the idea of an expected top-10 pick not attending the draft was unusual. It also gave Browns fans a glimpse into the humor and humility that has defined a player who has become a Cleveland sports icon.
An irony of Thomas’ career was that in his first season, the Browns went 10-6 and it looked like this was the beginning of something really special. Needless to say, things haven’t gone exactly the way fans of the Cleveland Browns have hoped. But season after season, while the men under center continue to change, there has been one constant. Joe Thomas was protecting their blind side.
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Before we assume the worst, consider that NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that it appears Thomas is likely to return for the 2018 season.
#Browns coach Hue Jackson said LT Joe Thomas will “come out and let us know fairly soon about what he wants to do.” ... I’m told he is preparing to play, and those who know him well believe he’ll be back.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 28, 2018
However, Thomas is coming off a triceps injury that broke his consecutive play streak. He’s also acknowledged that he has already been experiencing memory loss from years of playing in the trenches of professional football. Combine that with what appears to be a purposeful plan for a broadcasting career after football, and it’s hard not to think that, even if he signs up for one more year, the 2018 season will be the last one for number 73.
So Browns fans, we may disagree on who to draft in the first round. But let’s be sure that however this season goes, we celebrate a player who has led by example. Who showed up week after week, season after season and has represented our city with class.
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There is a certain sadness in knowing that we’ll soon be counting down the five years until Thomas takes his rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.Let’s appreciate him before his locker displays a sign that says “Gone Fishing.”