There was never any doubt after former Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas retired that he wouldn’t be a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. On Saturday, that day finally came as Thomas was enshrined in bronze forever in Canton, Ohio. He got emotional thanking everyone that helped him along the way his parents, his children, and his wife Annie who he credited with being his rock.
Thomas talked about being accepted by Cleveland from the moment he stepped off the plane and how the values of the town matched those he grew up with. At the end of the speech he thanked Cleveland for everything and always being there despite losses piling up.
Let’s take a look at the highlights from the Browns legend’s big day.
Welcome to football immortality, @joethomas73.#DawgPound | #JoeHoF pic.twitter.com/tysqjbHiX3
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 5, 2023
Annie Thomas and Joe's kids present him for induction@joethomas73 | #JoeHoF pic.twitter.com/NnfRUZStEl
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 5, 2023
immortalized in bronze
📺: @nflnetwork & @espn pic.twitter.com/ppXwCWDVIe
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 5, 2023
Joe's parents showed him the path that led him to the Hall
📺: @nflnetwork & @espn pic.twitter.com/9waivQ3J5o
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 5, 2023
C'mon mom, give him credit. It was a C+
📺: @nflnetwork & @espn pic.twitter.com/MkD8US3d4Q
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 5, 2023
shoutout to the teammates in the trenches
📺: @nflnetwork & @espn pic.twitter.com/fCjgnS9GZT
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 5, 2023
all 10,363 in The Land
📺: @nflnetwork & @espn pic.twitter.com/jmNsn6ucD0
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 5, 2023
an honor to represent the most loyal fans in the game
📺: @nflnetwork & @espn pic.twitter.com/GVjLrOS1kg
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 5, 2023
Cleveland felt like home from day 1
📺: @nflnetwork & @espn pic.twitter.com/aH3ZGpK5H9
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 5, 2023
sometimes those @Browns_Stadium peanuts just hit right 😂
📺: @nflnetwork & @espn pic.twitter.com/TSeyxi96jv
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 5, 2023
Joe's ultimate co-captain has been by his side the entire time 🧡
📺: @nflnetwork & @espn pic.twitter.com/8Lz2xjtoHs
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 5, 2023
Believeland always shows up for our own 💯
📺: @nflnetwork & @espn pic.twitter.com/AJ1sHhwvJE
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 5, 2023
Joe and Cleveland can forever count on each other 🤝
📺: @nflnetwork & @espn pic.twitter.com/63vhaxECyw
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 5, 2023
