Unraveling the Reasons Why Joe Thomas is One of the Most Underrated NFL Players of All Time

June 07, 2024

By Keith Mado July 15, 2024 09:15

Photo by David Richard – The Associated Press

Former Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas is commonly viewed as one of the most underrated players to ever play in the NFL. Considering his career stats and accolades, he has been underrated in terms of recognition and appreciation for the talent in that right place. We will go through a detailed analysis of his unnoticed contribution, from how well Thomas performed to the adversities he faced and what might have held him back.

Elite-Level Performance and Achievements

Consistency and Durability: Joe Thomas played every game and started in every game of his NFL career until a triceps injury ended his streak of 10,363 consecutive snaps played in October 2017.
Pro Bowl Selections: Thomas was selected to the Pro Bowl every year from 2007 to 2016, making it to 10 consecutive Pro Bowls. This reflects his consistency and dominance as one of the league's top offensive linemen.
All-Pro Honors: He was named a First-Team All-Pro three times (2009, 2010, 2011) and a Second-Team All-Pro twice (2008, 2012), recognizing him as one of the best at his position during those seasons.
Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor: In 2019, Joe Thomas was inducted into the Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor, acknowledging his significant contributions and impact on the franchise.
NFL 2010s All-Decade Team: Thomas was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, highlighting his excellence and consistency throughout the decade.
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Nominee: He was nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2010 and 2012, recognizing his contributions on and off the field.

The Challenge of Team Success

It stems largely from playing his entire years in Cleveland, where the team has struggled mightily throughout much of Thomas' career. Although Thomas had been one of a kind and special, the team's record during his tenure on campus did not show that. Thomas appeared in 167 games, and the Browns were a combined 48-119 in those contests, always among the worst-marking undies for the franchise.

Lack of National Spotlight

The relative obscurity of the Cleveland Browns on the national stage during Thomas's career could also have led to him being underrated. Because of the lack of major playoff appearances and championship contention, Thomas did not get a chance to prove himself on the grandest stage with eyes all over him like he would have had he played for an elite program, therefore making it tough for people around the country to appreciate what they saw truly. Consequently, his extraordinary talent may have gone nationally overlooked as part of why he was ultimately underrated in the larger NFL narrative.

The Legacy of Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas Joe Thomas is arguably the most underrated left tackle to ever step onto a football field, and his impact on the game goes beyond any statistical or accolading measure. He was a tireless worker in every career field and one of the NFL's great leaders on and off the field. There will never be another Joe Thomas; he is irreplaceable with his run-of-the-town legacy. His longevity and conditioning, while never wavering in commitment to the game, have raised the bar for on-field greatness beyond most football individual measurements.

The fact that Joe Thomas is one of those highly underrated NFL players shows there are a lot of layers when it comes to being recognized and remembered in professional sports. But no matter how underrated his legacy might be, Joe Thomas will also be known as one of the game's all-time great offensive linemen.

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