Dolphins fan favourite Zach Thomas hopes so as to add Corridor of Famer to his spectacular resume.
Former Miami Dolphins legend Zach Thomas’ aspirations to achieve entry into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame had been placed on ice for an additional 12 months, if no more.
The Dolphins’ standout linebacker was not chosen for the Corridor of Fame’s 2022 class, making this the third time he was a finalist for the best honor in soccer, however didn’t make the lower.
“It was an honor to as soon as once more be among the many finalists for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. I wish to congratulate this 12 months’s class,” Thomas stated in a press release the Dolphins launched. “They had been all nice gamers and are every deserving of their gold jacket. I additionally wish to thank the Miami Dolphins followers who proceed to be so supportive. You guys are the very best.”
The 5 modern-era finalists who had been elected to the Class of 2020 had been defensive lineman Richard Seymour and Bryant Younger, offensive lineman Tony Boselli, who turns into the primary Jacksonville Jaguars participant inducted into the Corridor of Fame, linebacker Sam Mills, security Leroy Butler.
Receiver Cliff Department, NFL official Artwork McNally and former coach Eagles, Rams and Chiefs Dick Vermeil had been additionally inducted by the legends committee in a category that noticed Dallas Cowboys defensive finish DeMarcus Ware not achieve induction as a primary poll nominee.
Receiver Andre Johnson and return specialist Devin Hester every made the finalist lower of their first 12 months of eligibility, however didn't achieve induction. Neither did former Colts receiver Reggie Wayne and former Rams receiver Torry Holt, who've every been finalist for a number of years.
Hester was arguably the best returner in NFL historical past, however the Corridor-of-Fame choice committee sometimes strikes slowly on specialists. Solely three — kickers Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen and punter Ray Man — are in Canton.
Defensive finish Jared Allen, cornerback Ronde Barber, and offensive lineman Willie Anderson had been the opposite finalist who didn’t make the lower in 2022. They’ll all greater than doubtless stay semi-finalists, if not finalists subsequent 12 months.
With Cleveland Brown offensive lineman Joe Thomas, cross rushers Dwight Freeney and James Harrison, and cornerback Darrelle Revis eligible for the primary time in 2023 its arduous to ascertain Thomas getting in subsequent years as a result of these 4 elites of their period will doubtless be first poll favorites. Nevertheless, Ware’s exclusion this 12 months proves that predicting a Corridor of Fame class is troublesome to do.
However the one factor that is still clear is that Thomas stays the Dolphins strongest candidate to achieve entry.
In his illustrious 13-year profession, Thomas amassed 1,734 complete tackles, 20.5 sacks, 17 interceptions, 14 compelled fumbles and 4 touchdowns. The one linebacker who was extra spectacular than Thomas throughout his period was Ray Lewis, who was a first-ballot inductee.
A former fifth-round choose, Thomas obtained All-Professional honors seven instances (first or second staff), made seven Professional Bowls and is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Staff of the 2000s.
In his years with the Dolphins, he anchored the most effective defenses within the NFL, particularly from 2000 to 2003. Throughout that span, Miami ranked third, eleventh, fourth and third in scoring protection.
Cross rusher Jason Taylor, who anchored that protection alongside Thomas, was a first-ballot Corridor of Fame inductee in 2017.