'Blessed and honored beyond belief': Hall of Famer Joe Thomas thanks Cleveland Browns fans
Browns legendary left tackle Joe Thomas is officially a first-ballot member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
A panel of voters chose Thomas to be enshrined Aug. 5 in Canton, and the results were revealed Thursday night during the "NFL Honors" awards show.
This means the Browns will likely kick off their preseason early by playing in the Hall of Fame Game in August — a possibility mentioned recently by Thomas and Browns All-Pro left guard Joel Bitonio.
It also means the Browns have 18 Hall of Famers in franchise history and the first from their expansion era, which began in 1999.
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Thomas is also one of seven offensive tackles in NFL history to become a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Nothing about Thomas being honored this way is surprising.
Thomas made 10 Pro Bowls in his first 10 NFL seasons, a feat achieved by just four other players. He earned eight All-Pro selections, including six first-team nods. He played a historic 10,363 consecutive snaps until a torn left triceps in 2017 sidelined him for the first and final time.
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Here is how people reacted on social media to Thomas being bound for Canton:
Cleveland Browns legend Joe Thomas is 'blessed and honored beyond belief' to become first-ballot Hall of Famer
Blessed and honored beyond belief! pic.twitter.com/9sAafkYGot
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) February 10, 2023
Assembled for the first time, it’s the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023! pic.twitter.com/Fs6inPrOpo
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 10, 2023
Wisconsin born ➡️ Badger great ➡️ @Browns legend ➡️ 1st ballot Hall of Famer
Congrats @joethomas73! Welcome to the @ProFootballHOF 👏 pic.twitter.com/ArT98TbD1L— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 10, 2023
An all-time great on and off the field. Joe's tremendous legacy will be cemented forever in Canton. pic.twitter.com/v5wbcWkD1n
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) February 10, 2023
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Joe Thomas thanks Browns fans for their support during his Hall of Fame career
A message from the man himself to the best fans in football. pic.twitter.com/EbsaVnmDGw
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) February 10, 2023
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Tonight, you found out the members of the Hall of Fame's Class of 2023.
On Saturday, you can see how "they" found out they were selected.
That's when Hall of Fame Knocks: Welcome to Canton debuts on @nflnetwork at 8:00 PM (EST). pic.twitter.com/YCswkcWQrk— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 10, 2023
Get that gold jacket tailored! The moment it became official 🙌
📺: #NFLHonors on NBC and NFLN pic.twitter.com/BLKEREEJu2— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) February 10, 2023
Former Cleveland Browns, family congratulate Joe Thomas on making Hall of Fame
Our newest member of the HoF couldn’t hold back the emotions watching these heartfelt messages from his family and friends ☺️
Watch the full video with many more congratulatory wishes
» https://t.co/3BluLLW7tq pic.twitter.com/Y16Ls60WkC— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) February 10, 2023
Congrats @joethomas73 on being inducted into the Hall of Fame!! Thank you for being my mentor. You taught me so much about football and I wouldn’t have had anywhere near the career I did without you. As no doubt of a first-ballot nominee as there gets. pic.twitter.com/1pUYNB0NAS
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) February 10, 2023
Congratulations, Joe! So well deserved! Joe Thomas the person made Joe Thomas the player a Hall of Famer! So happy for you and family. https://t.co/g0x9em34Vc
— Phil Savage (@PhilSavage) February 10, 2023
Browns fans celebrate Joe Thomas being selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2023
Congratulations to Joe Thomas on his HOF induction tonight. 10,363 consecutive offensive snaps is incredible. Definitely Cal Ripken worthy. A guy you can count on every game to be there & play @ a high level. Joe Thomas- HOF inductee- Cleveland Browns. Well deserved! https://t.co/AnqAPW8RuM pic.twitter.com/QERzNhHYOl
— Tom Brunswick (@tom_brunswick) February 10, 2023
#joethomas legend got what he deserved. Congratulations 🏆 #hof
— Add your name (@tjbittner3) February 10, 2023
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Joe Thomas makes Pro Football Hall of Fame and people react