Sometimes in life you can go your whole life being loyal to someone or something and never reap the benefits of said loyalty. That is exactly what happened to Joe Thomas as he announced his retirement from the NFL Wednesday afternoon.
.@joethomas73 is calling it a career.
See you in Canton, Joe.
📰 » https://t.co/BoYpcxVcIg#ThankYou73 pic.twitter.com/gzEa8Z6tPK
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) March 14, 2018
Thomas was drafted by the Browns in 2007 after an all-american career at Wisconsin. In his 11 years in Cleveland, Thomas went to the Pro Bowl every year except last year and was a seven time first team all-pro. Unfortunately, Thomas never made the playoffs as his rookie year was the closest he ever came after going 10-6. After that season, the Browns never posted a winning record again, reaching the franchise’s lowest point last season with an 0-16 record.
Joe Thomas should be remembered as arguably the best OT in this generation but unfortunately because of his loyalty, he’ll always be remembered as the leader of the losers.