Joe Thomas' Full Hall of Fame Speech | 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame | NFL

[@CJD22K]

As a Bengals fan, one of the best left tackles in the business for a long time, and one of the most loyal players to play for the Browns. Over 10,000 straight snaps played?!! Well deserved, Joe Thomas.

[@Enarjay7891]

Over 10,000 snaps played while EASILY being the best player on the field. He may not be the best Left Tackle ever, but there’s NEVER been a Better Left a tackle!

[@williamcurtin5692]

And you guys have seen some pretty good tackle play.

[@prod.snqwfall1347]

@@Enarjay7891 He may not be, but he also just might be

[@frankwolfrum6301]

1 of 90 first ballot Hall of Famers that's something special Thank you Mr. Thomas!!!

[@sec9788]

Yet, Matt Light of the Patriots (3x SB Champion) is still not there. The HoF is a sham. Had to throw Joe in there cause nobody cared about the rest of them really…

[@frankwolfrum6301]

@@sec9788 Matt Light is no Joe Thomas. Browns fans care about their team. National media not so much. I like Matt Light he is a home boy played in Greenville watched his career.

[@titansrule72]

spent his whole career on a ton of bad browns teams and still made the hof. joe was one of a kind. had a chance to leave and go win a title with the broncos and said nope.

[@loganmccrory2211]

Cleveland fans will always be loyal to him as he was loyal to us. We know he should've gone somewhere else to win, but he never waivered. Hopefully the winning comes soon.🐶

[@natnaelberhanu-i8w]

He even blocked for Johnny Manziel which I don't even think helped cuz he was probably getting sacked constantly

[@edwardgaines6561]

Honestly, Joe should've got that Super Bowl ring. Some things you only get one shot at, in life.

[@titansrule72]

@@edwardgaines6561 like when bernie got his with dallas. seems hollow, but its real if you can wear it on your finger.

[@JamilSmith]

One of the best Hall of Fame speeches I’ve heard in recent memory. What an amazing model of consistency, dependability, and greatness you set for your peers. This is so richly deserved. Thank you, Joe, for all you did and sacrificed for your teammates, our city, and for us, the fans.

[@jebwaldoharrilal]

Agreed, 100%

[@juniorluma9129]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@sec9788]

🤨. He did get PAID to protect all those draft/trade busts…

[@peterrothwell1116]

That speech is why I am so DAM proud to be a Cleveland Browns fan I don't care about the record Joe Thomas is the reason why I Love the Cleveland Browns HERE WE GO BROWNIES

[@neilsmith9066]

Congratulations Joe Thomas!!!!! Well Deserved!!! Thank You for Your Loyalty!!!!

[@freundschnurschuh6121]

Great Speech Joe and congratulations from Germany to your great career and thanks for staying so unbelievable grounded.

[@HandsomeMofoJo]

It seems like only yesterday he was drafted by the browns in the 1st round along with Brady Quinn. Congrats Joe

[@GoBrowns9821]

Joe Thomas you are a true professional and a man’s man… u sacrificed sometimes maybe when u didn’t have too… I wish the browns were better in your time with the team but you were the best player to represent our fans u had every reason to quit but didn’t… GO BROWNS #HOFJoe

[@tcorbitt101]

This dude is an amazing role model. 👏 what a great speech by a great man.

[@WillWigg]

Joe Thomas man. Makes a grown man cry. Dude really represents what Cleveland is.

[@elijahscott5293]

I thought it was the onions

[@jordanfrancis2024]

Joe Thomas is a hall of fame deserve credits from browns fans that are royal and see their team suffer from the 2000s and the 2010s. They deserve something good and hope that they will see their team make the super bowl a possibly win a super bowl in a city of Cleveland. Respect from a die hard chiefs fan love the browns and their fanbase too they are so loyal.

[@KevinSmith-rd4ex]

always liked the cheifs...you got our marty schottenheimer...deserves to be in the hof too.

[@jordanfrancis2024]

@@KevinSmith-rd4ex agree with you bro. Marty deserve to be in a hall of fame. He did us a good season from the 90s giving us a winning record every year from 1989 to 1997. He deserves to be in a hall of fame this season that just my opinion. But good luck for your browns bro and I can see you team shock somebody in the regular season to be in the playoffs.

[@docd2295]

Thank you sir. I always enjoy our teams play each other.

[@docd2295]

Marty does need to go in. He is the winningest coach who is not in.

[@jordanfrancis2024]

@@docd2295 100% facts

[@seanhyland3397]

Joe, thank you for showing up for the Browns every Sunday. Through all the dysfunction, sabers, and disappointment, you were the one person we could always count on, every Sunday, that we knew would always be there. I just wish you were able to be apart of a playoff team. Thank you for everything.

[@elijahscott5293]

Yes sir

[@WhatIsaysGoes]

One of my favorite players EVER!!!!! And I'm a Steelers fan. Salute Joe!!!!!!!!

[@jordanthelegendarysupersay4689]

Classy, down to earth gentleman.

[@sec9788]

Probably grateful that ha didn’t have to deal with that kneeling nonsense. He saw the writing on the wall. Smart man, unlike most of the league…

[@Laceup513]

He deserves this so much.

[@jeffsampson3796]

I’m from WI. Followed him and high school and college and cheered for him In Cleveland playing for my 2nd favorite team (behind the Packers). I don’t know what it was but his speech got me a little teary eyed. Maybe it was his thanks to his family and home state, but a lot of it was his loyalty to the Browns and Cleveland. Happy retirement, Joe. Hope to see you around Southeast Wisconsin.

[@KTF0]

Probably the only HOF speech that thanked the worst NFL head coaches.

[@sylentknight]

LMAO ! fax !!

[@michaelcoe3678]

Lmao!!!!!

[@seanlongway4776]

Cope Brokies

[@Dozier133192]

Yo I laughed SOOOOO HARD

[@an152771]

Don't forget the worst GMs too

[@natnaelberhanu-i8w]

I paid a lot of attention to the '06 wisconsin team. I knew joe thomas was on that team but I didn't expect him to get drafted 3rd overall. I remember he didn't attend the draft because he was out fishing with his father. The guy had a great nfl career and he does have the voice of a dj. He should go into doing radio shows.

[@patientpicker9629]

Great speech my son will appreciate listening to this. As a young football player he will lead his team in most consecutive middle school snaps played. He’s a young boy with a old blue collar worker soul. God bless

[@soylentteal]

A great career, a loving wife, four children and masses of fans. Joe is a very rich man.

[@edwardgaines6561]

No Super Bowl ring though.

[@stanh9558]

​@@edwardgaines6561 Superbowl rings are for media journalists. Real football fans wouldn't put Jamal Lewis ahead of Barry Sanders. Just because of a SB ring.

[@ryaneugenelawrencewalls1987]

Joe Thomas was a true player for Cleveland no doubt about the best if not the most recognized tackles in nfl history to never won a ring but it's all good the 1st Round 3rd overall pick in the 2007 nfl Draft out of Wisconsin congrats

[@The1Manager]

Love you, Joe, thanks for everything. You truly have the traits that everyone should inspire to have. 10363!

[@d.g.1594]

I like the parts where he talked about his parents and his family.

[@neilsmith9066]

He should be the head of the HOF and show up knocking on doors. He would be so incredible in that position

[@everythingcollectibles]

One of the Best Offensive Tackles of all time!!

[@michaeleagle3794]

Not going to lie it feels good to have a. Brown's player in their that stayed and didn't switch teams for the money ❤

[@braddillon4311]

switch teams for wins*

[@WhatIsaysGoes]

73!!!!!! We still miss watching you play! Respect!!!!!!

[@brendanjobe7286]

Thank you for being such a class act JT! What a phenomenal ceremony and player. You did us all proud today Joe!

[@greeneggs16]

What a legend

[@WhatIsaysGoes]

Exactly 💯💯💯

[@williammckay5540]

Not just a great lineman, but a great human. I love Joe Thomas. I love the fact that the most important part about his play was being there for everyone around him. Truly a special player and a special human.

[@TheRealBigRed]

Just an amazing human being ! Glad you played for our Browns! Now Cleveland go get that man his Super Bowl ring!

[@tilergrimm4953]

Yooooo, Joe looking mad Lean!!!! That F*cking awesome.

[@davidhary574]

Thank you Joe. Thank you for the loyalty

[@robertleath9913]

Ohio loves ya Joe

[@jamesleverentz6294]

As a SE Wisconsinite, it was cool to say with certainty for a few years there the greatest offensive lineman and the greatest defensive lineman on the planet - Joe Thomas and J.J. Watt - were both from Waukesha County, Wisconsin.

[@williamcurtin5692]

The water?

[@WillWigg]

Wisconsin is amazing. Went as a kid and plan to go back again one day. Thank you for gifting us an amazing lineman.

[@Spittin_Chiglets]

As Badger alum, couldn't be more proud. Joe's a mans man for sure.

[@Chefbriank]

LOVE THAT BUST SMILE! jeez JOE youve got me cryin' again and its a whole year and 10 views of this speach for me !

[@user-xo7go4rr7g]

Being arguably the Best tackle in the league for nearly a decade is wildly consistent and near impossible to do in todays game with how quickly the league changes now. Sucks he saw 0 playoff games in his career. Still one of the best OLs of all time in general. (Steelers Fan).

[@vincehenriquez680]

Bro I'm a newbie NFL fan and even I know how legendarily great Joe Thomas is . I remember the story that Peyton Manning tried to get the Broncos when he was there to bring Joe over. Every great football player in that era respected Joe.

[@BYRDFLEX1]

we love you joe 73

[@nob0d1games]

Man built like a wide receiver now

[@Themparktycoon2world]

The smart retired offensive lineman know that they need to get that weight off so their knees and other joints won’t disable them. He played over 10,000 plays and I’m sure his knees let him know even at this weight.

[@terucks]

07 nfl draft is now one of the best!!!

[@lucyd3408]

Forget all the coaches and quarterbacks who came and left with lots o money but did nothing!! The backbone during that time was Joe Thomas !! God bless Joe and his family, they are blessed

[@johnflocco3803]

Class act Joe true professional and gentlemen last of the grunts and blue collar players. Good luck Joe God bless.

[@toptiergaming5068]

No paper, just straight from the heart

[@georgetolofari5246]

Never making the playoffs and still good enough for the hall of fame. Absolute legend browns should be ashamed of themselves

[@animetree9379]

The browns haven't exactly been given a great time by the NFL, cough, cough bottle gate that the NFL still hasn't apologized for reversing 2 plays later

[@jasoncallan4582]

Pure class.

[@matthewspallina226]

Him and Zach Thomas are 2 of the best players in NFL history to never win a ring

[@MR.Burnz14]

Dan Marino

[@R96654]

Larry fitz

[@matthewspallina226]

@@MR.Burnz14 him too but I meant just this draft class

[@DM-sc9rg]

Joe thomas is the greatest player to never play in a playoff game

[@OutlawedOutlander]

Urlacher

[@scruffd0g193]

One of the best Tackles of all time. Played on some terrible browns teams. Never said anything, the ultimate teammate. All time great

[@ibwilin8995]

S/o Joe Thomas. Well deserved. One of the best of this era at the position.

[@bobsanders3063]

He was the only bright spot on one of the most historically bad teams, he deserved to win.

[@garydelgaudio5364]

Disfunction played a huge part !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@edwardgaines6561]

@@garydelgaudio5364 No, that conman Jimmy Haaslam played a big part!

[@millertime33]

Congratulations Joe #73! 💪🏾💪🏾🐶🐶🐐

[@jmsnrs716]

One of the Greatest Badgers of All Time! Well done, Joe, well done!

[@sheafan1971]

Congratulations Joe

[@tomcline1252]

best offensive tackle of my generation and likely a couple to come

[@TheTJKennedy]

Love you 73, the First Offensive Lineman in NFL History! Go Browns!

[@TheJohnharple]

As a Browns fan I think he deserved to be a hall of famer just from never missing a snap and staying with the browns for his entire career... and being positive about it as much as his play

[@garydelgaudio5364]

LOYALTY,,NOT MONEY$$$% ,some players no matter what do NOY deserve thousands let alone millions, JT ,EARNED IT

[@newt6639]

Joe deserved better on the Browns! He was such an incredible Tackle and loyal to the very end.

[@Notimp0rtant523]

What a treat and a privilege it is to have someone like Mr. Joe Thomas to turn to as an example of humility, strength, consistency, and gratitude.

[@John94709]

I knew I liked this man when he missed draft day to go fishing with his dad.

[@supratrd900]

Respect his loyalty to the Browns and one of the greatest Left Tackle in the history of the NFL. He protected trash ass Browns QB for decades. His service would've been more appreciated had he been protecting the blindside of QB like Peyton, Brady, Brees or Rodgers.

[@Crow_927]

Great OT of All Time! 73

[@DM-sc9rg]

Joe thomas is the greatest player to never make the playoffs

[@lucaskincanyon7393]

9OC in 11 years is crazy.

[@kaceywatts7308]

Living legend!! WOOF WOOF WOOF

[@kalehorvath]

Congrats Joe!

[@nickshearer3091]

The only shinning light on an otherwise dark Cleveland franchise. Would have liked to see him in the playoffs against the best of the best.

[@jwsf941]

Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz (younger brother of Fox Sports' Geoff Schwartz) were also college teammates at Cal-Berkeley in 2008

[@Spittin_Chiglets]

Best left tackle EVER! The State of Wisconsin is very proud of Joe. A true gentleman and a class act. One of the most genuine, honorable, and honest NFL player to don the jersey. Sad he never experienced team success.

[@deandrebelton4483]

Lets Go Joe HOF Go Browns 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@davisjohnson7691]

Such an easy 1st ballot HOFer. Outside Anthony Munoz, the best offensive lineman ever. His resume is *insanity* . Munoz is the only guy you can comp him to

[@williamcurtin5692]

I hate the Ratbirds. But you do have to throw Ogden in there.

[@davisjohnson7691]

@@williamcurtin5692 You do. But Joe Thomas has a better resume. Jon might have more 2nd team all pros, but Joe has more 1st team all pros. 1st team all pro is the ultimate measure of how good a player is. Jon definitely belongs in the convo. But as far as I’m concerned 1.) Munoz 2.) Joe Thomas 3.) Ogden

[@williamcurtin5692]

@@davisjohnson7691 I'd put him at #2. But here's another name - Boselli. Short but awesome career

[@davisjohnson7691]

@@williamcurtin5692 Ogden at 2? I watched both of them play. Joe was better. You forgot the opposing teams top edge rusher was even on the field with Joe out there

[@Spittin_Chiglets]

Joe was the best LT. There every day for his team.

[@squatsoats2144]

Respect from Germany.

[@bigdog1648]

Go Badgers!!!

[@daveh9335]

Thanks Joe

[@matthewbuxton4476]

FACTS ✒️🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@16-biTbasketball]

The man who refused to win . Over tge years, teams came to him and asked "do you wanna come win?" He said nuh uhh, nope, nooo way. He sat ,isolated , on a desert island, on Cleveland Browns island, detached from the rest of the league, sitting alone, atop an ivory tower ,perhaps looking to the distance, fearing "winning " may've been off in that direction

[@michaelmiller4457]

I was there!

[@WhatIsaysGoes]

20 Quarterbacks!!!!!!! I'm still laughing a day later. LoL

[@cichlidlover27]

I was in the crowd when Joe went in that day and it was awesome being theree and I plan to be there when Myles Garrett goes in....Go Browns!

[@kumarbrowns]

Good times are just around the corner. Woof Woof…

[@skydoggeatapeach]

Been a browns fan for 52 years big joe is hands down my all time favorite cleveland brown #73

[@DerHeueler76]

And now he coaches our European League of football team Munich Ravens for season 2024 as O-Line coach. We are so glad and proud to count such a legend to our coaching team.

[@thebigdant6210]

The shining moment of a sad childhood, thank you Joe and congrats on a well deserved enshrinement in Canton!

[@brentd106]

One of the few players to actually make it to the HOF for being in bad teams his whole career.

[@stanh9558]

A thank you to my childhood role model and favorite athlete, Joe Thomas. Let me explain: I grew up playing football and was a left guard. I don't look at offensive lineman as just big guys. I look at them as models of consistency. Like anchors for a ship. When Joe Thomas came along for the Browns. I was badly in need of a positive role model. Somebody to look up to. So I looked towards Joe Thomas. And from the day he was drafted. To seeing him hold down the offensive line. Every week for 10 1/2 seasons. Helping protect not just 18 different quarterbacks. But a number of guys at receiver and running back . Who had a few great moments or a good season in Cleveland. Because of Mr. Joe Thomas. Guys such as but not limited to-----Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow Jr., Jerome Harrison, Greg Little, Isaiah Crowell, Terrence West, Mohamed Massaquoi, Peyton Hillis, Trent Richardson, Josh Gordon, etc. But what made me admire him the most. Was for a few years. Even as bad as things got with the Browns. And announcers would bring up talks of him going to a contender for a SB win. He stuck around with the Browns. It's about the loyalty to his team. His ability to give people who never did anything anywhere else. A bright moment or two while keeping them from getting tackled or sacked. But most importantly his consistency. Even on his worst days he was still darn good. One of my biggest dreams being a Browns fan. Was seeing a player get drafted and play their whole career at a hall of fame level. Mr. Joe Thomas did that. And if you want to know where you should rank him all time among other offensive lineman. Just consider most hall of fame offensive lineman. Guard for a couple qb's their whole career. Mr. Joe Thomas guarded for 18.

[@greggbarber]

Joe is Cleveland

[@SBRS47]

The first offensive lineman in NFL history 😎

[@dws582]

As a Badger..he never lost to Ohio.State.

[@jrbr549]

His consecutive snap streak is more impressive than Favre and Ripkin's combined.

[@sandralarson-gonzales3797]

What a guy

[@animetree9379]

Next should be Josh Cribbs and Phil Dawson

[@shortyzander1341]

Clay Matthews

[@animetree9379]

@@shortyzander1341 unfortunately, Clay Matthews is no longer part of the modern NFL athletes because of how long ago he played, so it now becomes extremely difficult to add him because I believe there's only three a year from the older players that can be nominated compared to more modern players that can have a majority of the nominations

[@hermanshula9449]

One of the better statues I've ever seen!

[@hermanshula9449]

"I'll let you buy me a beer later."

[@hermanshula9449]

What a cool dude.

[@jacobcoey9918]

The guy at 13:45, that’s how I feel. The team let that man down. He never even got to play in a playoff game. What a wasted great. If only this team had that guy blocking for DW4… If they EVER win a Super Bowl, they need to give him a ring.

[@Cavcurlz]

That ending went hard 🤎🧡🇺🇸🏈

[@lewislamont3518]

I swear i dont understand how Joe Thomas or JJ Watts never played for packers hopefully we get TJ watts soon

[@archdawg4]

I think I just cried. Got to listen to him in person a few months ago, in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio. He signed some stuff for me, and I punched him in the arm. Felt like I punched a slab of granite.

[@WestWash97]

They’re booing him just like they did when he went 3rd overall in 2007. And Brady Quinn was an absolute bust. Explain?

[@jordanthelegendarysupersay4689]

They are barking as in Dawg Pound.

[@briancorcoran4357]

Badger Nation is proud of you Joe!!

[@magicalmixer5453]

Unlucky he played for one of the worst football teams ever. He should have a ring or two.

[@buckeyewill2166]

He could have gone anywhere in the League. But he remained one of the silver linings in a bad situation.