Zach Thomas
Pampa (TX) | |||||
College: | Texas Tech (1992–1995) | ||||
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NFL draft: | 1996 / Round: 5 / Pick: 154 | ||||
Career history | |||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||
Zachary Michael Thomas (born September 1, 1973) is an American former professional
In his rookie year in 1996, Thomas was voted the Dolphins Team Newcomer of the Year, and also won his first of two Dolphins Team MVP awards (1996, 2001). He was also named the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1996. Thomas was also the first Dolphins player to win the Dolphins Team Leadership Award (voted by his teammates) a record three times (1998-1999, 2005), until Jason Taylor surpassed him with four (2002, 2006-2007, 2009). [1]
From 1998-2006, Thomas led a defensive unit that finished top 10 in total defense in seven consecutive seasons (1998-2004), and in eight out of nine (2006). In five of those nine seasons (1998, 2000, 2002-2003, 2006), Thomas' defenses finished top five in total scoring defense, including 1st overall in 1998.[2][3]
Thomas is also known for his longevity with the Dolphins, and currently is 2nd all time in Dolphins history for most games played by a defensive player in the team's history with 168, behind Taylor's 204.
In 2006, Thomas was inducted into the Texas Tech Athletics Hall of Fame, and would later be enshrined into the Texas Tech Red Raiders Ring of Honor in 2016. In 2015, Thomas was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. In 2012, Thomas was enshrined into the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll, and on February 9, 2023, in his 10th year of eligibility and in his 4th straight year being a finalist, Zach Thomas was elected as a member to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023.
Early years
Thomas was born in
College career
Thomas attended
Thomas' most memorable and infamous college game for Texas Tech, occurred on October 7, 1995, against rival Texas A&M University. Texas A&M entered the game riding a five game winning streak against Texas Tech dating back to 1990. In a defensive 7-7 tie ballgame heading late into the 4th quarter, Thomas intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown with :34 seconds remaining, helping Texas Tech snap their five game losing streak to Texas A&M, winning by a final score of 14–7. Thomas finished the game with 12 combined tackles, one fumble recovery, and the game-clinching interception return for a touchdown.
Thomas was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015.[8]
College awards and honors
- Second-team Houston Chronicle All-SWC (1993)
- Second-team Houston Post All-SWC (1993)
- First-team UPI All-American (1994)
- Second-team Football News All-American (1994)
- Second-team Sporting NewsAll-American (1994)
- 2× SWC Defensive Player of the Year (1994, 1995)
- Unanimous first-team All-American (1995)
- First-team All-SWC (1995)
- College Football Hall of Fame
- Texas Tech Hall Of Fame
Professional career
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle |
Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
233 lb (106 kg) |
30+5⁄8 in (0.78 m) |
9+1⁄4 in (0.23 m) |
4.85 s | 1.67 s | 2.77 s | 4.24 s | 28.5 in (0.72 m) |
8 ft 8 in (2.64 m) |
20 reps | ||
All values from NFL Combine[9] |
Thomas attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, but had a performance that was described as lousy and included a 28.5" vertical jump.[10] Miami Dolphins' special teams coordinator, Mike Westhoff, was sent to Texas by the Dolphins to meet with Thomas and scout him for their special teams unit.[11] Thomas was considered to be too small and not fast or athletic enough to play at the professional level according to scouts and draft experts.[12]
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins selected Thomas in the fifth round (154th overall) of the 1996 NFL draft.[13] Thomas was the 18th linebacker drafted in a linebacker class that included Ray Lewis, Tedy Bruschi, Donnie Edwards, and Kevin Hardy.[14] Thomas was the second linebacker the Dolphins drafted in 1996, joining their fourth round pick Baylor linebacker LaCurtis Jones (126th overall).[12] Thomas was initially drafted to join special teams after the Miami Dolphins' special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff recommended him to head coach Jimmy Johnson.[11]
The bottom line is that Zach Thomas was making plays. He has quickness, he's an instinctive player, and he makes plays ... Jack Del Rio would still be here and still be our starter were it not for the play of Zach Thomas.
1996
On July 3, 1996, the Miami Dolphins signed Thomas to a three-year, $577,000 contract at the league minimum.[15] He impressed the Dolphins' coaching staff during training camp and quickly rose up the depth chart to compete for the job as the starting middle linebacker against Jack Del Rio. Head coach Jimmy Johnson officially named Thomas the starting middle linebacker to begin the regular season. On August 3, 1996, the Miami Dolphins subsequently released Del Rio due to the sudden emergence of Thomas.[16][17]
He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the
1997
On August 4, 1997, Thomas sustained a fractured
The
1998
Thomas was retained as the starting middle linebacker for the third consecutive season and started alongside outside linebackers Robert Jones and Derrick Rodgers.[28]
On September 20, 1998, Thomas recorded eight combined tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown during a 21–0 win against the
The Miami Dolphins finished second in the AFC East with a 10–6 record and earned a playoff berth. On January 2, 1999, Thomas recorded eight combined tackles during a 24–17 win against the
1999
On February 13, 1999, the Miami Dolphins signed Thomas to a five-year, $22.50 million contract that included a signing bonus of $4.50 million.
The
2000
On January 17, 2000, head coach Jimmy Johnson announced his decision to step down as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
2001
Defensive coordinator Jim Bates retained Thomas as the starting middle linebacker. He started alongside Twan Russell and Derrick Rodgers to begin the 2001 regular season.[40]
He started in the
The Miami Dolphins finished second in the AFC East in 2001 with an 11–5 record. On January 13, 2002, Thomas recorded 22 combined tackles (14 solo) during the Dolphins' 20–3 loss against the
2002
Thomas returned as the starting middle linebacker under head coach Dave Wannstedt and started alongside outside linebackers Derrick Rodgers and
2003
On March 27, 2003, the Miami Dolphins signed Thomas to a five-year, $33.75 million contract extension that included a signing bonus of $10.50 million. The agreement kept him under contract with Miami through 2008.[46][47]
On November 2, 2003, Thomas collected a season-high 19 combined tackles (12 solo) in the Dolphins' 23–17 loss to the
2004
Thomas started alongside Morlon Greenwood and
2005
Head coach Nick Saban retained Thomas as the starting middle linebacker in 2005. Thomas started the 2005 season alongside outside linebackers Channing Crowder and Junior Seau.[55] He also played under defensive coordinator Richard Smith and linebackers coach George Edwards.
In Week 3, he collected a season-high 16 combined tackles (nine solo), broke up a pass, and made a sack during a 27–24 win against the
2006
On January 23, 2006, the Miami Dolphins hired former
In Week 11, he collected 17 combined tackles (four solo) in a 24–20 victory against the
2007
On January 3, 2007, Miami Dolphins' head coach
He started in the
2008
On January 1, 2008, the Miami Dolphins fired head coach Cam Cameron after a 1–15 record.[68] On February 14, 2008, the Miami Dolphins released Thomas after announcing that he no longer fit into their long term plans and his contract was terminated.[69] Thomas received offers from the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots.
Dallas Cowboys
On February 23, 2008, the
Kansas City Chiefs
An
He suffered a concussion early in training camp and was eventually released on September 5, after not playing in any exhibition games.[76] In October, he filed a grievance against the Chiefs for releasing him without an injury settlement while recovering.[77]
Retirement
External videos | |
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Zach Thomas' Retirement Press Conference |
On May 18, 2010, the Miami Dolphins signed Thomas to a one-day ceremonial contract, officially worth $1, in order to retire as a member of the Miami Dolphins.
Awards and honors
In addition to being a seven-time All-Pro selection by the Associated Press and a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Thomas earned the following awards and honors in his NFL career:
- NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month (October 1996)
- All-Rookie selection by College & Pro Football Newsweekly, The Football News, Pro Football Weekly and Pro Football Writers of America (1996)
- AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year (1996)
- Dolphins' 1996 Unsung Hero Award as selected by NFLPA
- Dolphins MVP and Newcomer of the Year by South Florida media (1996)
- AFC Defensive Player of the Month (September 1998)
- 2× NFL Alumni Association's Linebacker of the Year (1998, 2006)
- First-team All-Pro selection by the USA Today, College & Pro Football Newsweekly and Football Digest (1998)
- 1998 All-Madden Team (1998)
- 3× Dolphins' Leadership Award (1998, 1999, 2005)
- Weeks 1 & 16 2001 AFC Defensive Player of the Week (2001)
- Dolphins MVP by South Florida media and fans (2001)
- All-Iron Team as selected by CBS analyst Phil Simms (2001)
- PFWA Dolphins Chapter "Good Guy" Award (2001)
- First-team Pro Football Weekly All-AFC (2002)
- First-team Sports Illustrated All-Pro (2003)
- Second-team Football Digest All-Pro (2003)
- Week 14 AFC Defensive Player of the Week (2005)
- All-AFC selection by Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers of America (2006)
- Only two linebackers currently in the Hall of Fame have more combined tackles. Ray Lewis (2,061) and Junior Seau (1,846).
In 2006, Zach Thomas was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame. In 2015, Thomas was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the following year in 2016, was inducted into the Texas Tech Red Raiders Ring of Honor.
In 2012, Thomas was inducted into the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll alongside his teammate Jason Taylor. Thomas became eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame beginning in 2014, and would become a semi-finalist for the first time in 2019. He would then reach being a finalist for election the next three years from 2020 to 2022. After being a finalist for a 4th consecutive year in his 10th overall year of eligibility, on February 9, 2023, Zach Thomas was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
NFL career statistics
Legend | |
---|---|
Led the league | |
Bold | Career high |
Regular season
Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | Int | Yds | TD | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
1996 | MIA | 16 | 16 | 154 | 120 | 34 | 2.0 | 3 | 64 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
1997 | MIA | 15 | 15 | 128 | 78 | 50 | 0.5 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1998 | MIA | 16 | 16 | 137 | 86 | 51 | 2.0 | 3 | 21 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1999 | MIA | 16 | 16 | 134 | 85 | 49 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2000 | MIA | 11 | 11 | 99 | 56 | 43 | 1.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2001 | MIA | 15 | 15 | 155 | 95 | 60 | 3.0 | 2 | 51 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2002 | MIA | 16 | 16 | 156 | 100 | 56 | 0.5 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 0 |
2003 | MIA | 15 | 15 | 153 | 85 | 68 | 1.0 | 3 | 21 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
2004 | MIA | 13 | 13 | 145 | 85 | 60 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2005 | MIA | 14 | 14 | 162 | 107 | 55 | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2006 | MIA | 16 | 16 | 165 | 103 | 62 | 3.0 | 1 | -4 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2007 | MIA | 5 | 5 | 52 | 42 | 10 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2008 | DAL | 16 | 14 | 94 | 65 | 29 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career[5] | 184 | 182 | 1,734 | 1,107 | 627 | 20.5 | 17 | 170 | 4 | 68 | 16 | 8 | 29 | 0 |
Personal life
Thomas was raised in Pampa, Texas by his parents, Steve and Bobby Thomas. He has an older brother, Bart Thomas, and younger sister, Katina Thomas. Katina was married to Thomas' Dolphins' teammate, Jason Taylor, from 2000 to 2015 and has three children with him.[78] Katina filed for divorce on January 25, 2015, and it was officially finalized on February 10, 2015.[79] Thomas' father, Steve Thomas, is the builder and proprietor of the second largest cross in the Western Hemisphere, located in Groom, Texas.[80] Thomas is married to Maritza Thomas.
For the first three-years of his career Thomas earned the league minimum and lived with teammate Larry Izzo.
References
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- ^ "Leader of a Generational Defense, Zach Thomas Gets the Call to Canton".
- ^ "Miami Dolphins Team Records, Leaders, and League Ranks". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "Zach Thomas | Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site".
- ^ a b "Zach Thomas ESPN Stats".
- ^ Trotter, Jake (December 18, 2013). "Amaro, Richardson unanimous AA's". ESPN. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
- ^ "Greatest Tech athelete [sic] poll: Wes Welker and Zach Thomas profiles". The Daily Toreador. March 26, 2007. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
- ^ "NFF Proudly Announces Star-Studded 2015 College Football Hall of Fame Class". FootballFoundation.org. National Football Foundation. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
- ^ "Zach Thomas, Combine Results, ILB - Texas Tech". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
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- ^ a b Cote, Greg (April 29, 2017). "Dolphins history has seen many late-round draft gems, but none quite like the kid from Pampa, Texas". miamiherald.com. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- ^ a b James Walker (April 20, 2016). "Dolphins found late-round draft success with LB Zach Thomas in 1996". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- ^ "1996 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ "1996 NFL Draft". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
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- ^ "NFL #0 Zach Thomas -ESPN (1998)". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- ^ "Zach Thomas Stays With Dolphins". apnews.com. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- ^ "THOMAS PASSES MARINO AS DOLPHINS' HIGHEST-PAID PLAYER", Miami Herald, September 13, 1999.
- ^ "NFL #0 Zach Thomas -ESPN (1999)". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- ^ Noble, Charlie (January 17, 2000). "Jimmy Johnson Quits as Coach Of Dolphins". The New York Times. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- ^ "NFL #0 Zach Thomas -ESPN (career)". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
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- ^ "2001 Miami Dolphins Starters, Roster, & Players". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
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- ^ "NFL Player stats: Zach Thomas (2002)". NFL.com. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- ^ Price, Jeff (March 28, 2003). "Zach Thomas signs contract extension with Dolphins". USA Today. Retrieved April 12, 2008.
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- ^ "NFL Player stats: Zach Thomas (2003)". NFL.com. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- ^ "Miami Dolphins' linebacker Zach Thomas will be miss Sunday's game". articles.chicagotribune.com. November 9, 2003. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
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- ^ "NFL Player stats: Zach Thomas (2004)". NFL.com. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- ^ "2005 Miami Dolphins Starters, Roster, & Players". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- ^ "Dolphins Lose Seau for Season". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 25, 2005. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
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- ^ "2005 Miami Dolphins Starters, Roster, & Players". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- ^ "Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions - November 23rd, 2006". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- ^ "NFL Player stats: Zach Thomas (2006)". NFL.com. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- ^ "2007 Pro Bowl Roster". ESPN.com. December 19, 2006. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- ^ "Saban leaves Dolphins to coach Alabama". WashingtonPost.com. January 4, 2007. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- ^ "2007 Miami Dolphins Starters, Roster, & Players". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- ^ "Dolphins' Zach Thomas out with migraines". upi.com. November 9, 2007. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- ^ "Nothing Wrong With Asking Why". DallasCowboys.com. February 26, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
- ^ "Parcells signs four-year deal to head Dolphins' Football operations". ESPN.com. December 20, 2007. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
- ^ "Cameron's firing continues Miami's upheaval under Parcells". ESPN.com. January 4, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
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- ^ Pasquarelli, Len (February 24, 2008). "Thomas appears headed home to Texas, deal with Dallas". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
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- ^ Jason Taylor Almost Quit Archived March 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Florida Sun-Sentinel, June 21, 2007
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- ^ [1] Act Two. Does Size Matter If You're Talking About a Cross? This American Life, Ep. 202: Faith