And it was something of a mistake because Wade Phillips was running a defense that was totally foreign to him. And maybe I should have bit my tongue, but thats just not me.. If youre grading my play, I was figuring it out so it was hard to sit out. I met her there and got her number this time. Jason Taylor is the Dolphins Hall of Fame defensive end and Zach Thomas is one of the 14 2020 Maritza is listening to these stories with a smile. Zach Thomas has had no other relationships that we know of.. About. So much that Thomas says, I made pressure my friend.. He was the archetypal character that NFL commentators love to label a Bring his own lunch-pail to work guy. This is when Maritza and I were still dating and shes like, Were moving to Green Bay? And it didnt go through. And I knew they had all those great leaders on defense. They would go on to have quite similar career numbers (more below) but one was feted much more than the other. Who was around in your era and how do you compare to them? And Im going to be here when you get here to work and Im going to be here when you leave. Thomas sat out three weeks. NO. Because I am a Dolphin for life. In December 2022, the couple welcomed their second child, a daughter named Liliana Marie. But on the first play of the second game, [Dallas] brought in a LB at fullback to take me on. Ninety-Nine Yards launched in 2018 and covers all aspects of the American football. It represents all the great teammates I had. Saban was mortified. That was stress so much of it that Thomas would get blisters on his lip from the pressure. 2021 Ninety-Nine Yards: American Football, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Why Zach Thomas belongs in the Hall of Fame. Those past teams came to their regular seasons with plans more than hope. So I enjoyed the visit, but I couldnt pull the trigger. Whatever Thomas said to Maritza that night neither really remembers and it doesnt matter because she didnt give him her number. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. It was all just for motivation.. But if I called out that one play in a game, hed be thinking I know whats coming the whole game. This is Zach Thomas life now. But Katina sees a correlation between Isaiah and her brother, Zach Thomas. For a while Jason Taylor & Zach Thomas were the beating heart of the Dolphins D. Taylor was enshrined in Canton in 2017. And then in college, I was two-time All-American and then I go, the 154th pick. Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas plays a pick-up game of soccer in Davie, Florida, Tuesday, January, 21, 2020. So before every game I would tell the ref, This is the most holdingest center in the league. And he heard about it, and before the next game he sent me a Xerox copy of his hands.. For me to sit here and say I deserve being in the Hall of Fame, thats just not me. Here are the 17 linebackers drafted ahead of Hall of Famer Zach Thomas in 1996. The tough decisions are picking which real estate investment to try and what workout to do to keep trim. Well he has 22 interceptions to his name whilst Zach has 17. And Miamis Pro Bowl linebacker and defensive leader found out about it. I got wind of it from a bunch of people because I knew everyone in the building, you know? So I just told him Im a grown-[expletive] man and told him to shut the [expletive] up. I knew right then I was going to have issues when the symptoms kicked in.. Yeah, no one knew that until now but it happened in 2005. Image from miamidolphins.com, Your email address will not be published. Former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas, who made a career out of stonewalling running backs with thunderous hits, made the loudest noise of all Thursday night by being named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That was tension. Thomas had to prove himself every step of the way, even as a linebacker at White Deer High in Pampa, Texas. I didnt know he was a starter. The Hall of Fame vote on the Saturday before the Super Bowl is a routine-changer for the Thomas family this year. I understood the whole business part of it. Now Taylor hopes that his former teammate, Zach Thomas, gets the same good news on Saturday, when the remainder of the 2020 Hall class is determined. If it wasnt for Zach Thomas, I wouldnt be in the Hall of Fame, Taylor told me Wednesday at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Coupled with the 2008 season spent with Dallas, Thomas finished his career with 1,734 tackles (74 for loss) and 20.5 sacks. "Im finally in, man," Thomas said. There is only one thing left for the 7 time Pro Bowler, 5 time first team All-Pro, All Decade team member, 2 time NFL alumni linebacker of the year & Miami Dolphins All-Time leader in tackles made get him in the damn Hal of Fame, where he belongs! And on the first play of the first inside drill of 2009 training camp, Thomas blew up the lead fullback and sustained another concussion and he could not practice or play. Thats humbling. Urlacher was a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee in the class of 2018. And they just beat us at home, Thomas laments. For me, man, its always about respect. Born Zachary Michael And I said all these compliments about Kevin but I also said we have a nickname for him. 1 on that list., He made everybody that played with him better. Maritza, of Colombian descent, went home to a family that was lukewarm on Thomas. Dont let me down, Thomas said. And after retiring from football, we had Christian, we built this house. When I look at back to being an 8-year-old kid starting football, I had big dreams and for it to play out like it has, Im grateful. When asked about whether Thomas belonged in the Hall of Fame he had this to say, Theres a handful of guys that I played with that are elite status as far as players, people, competitors, teammates, and Zach Thomas is No. Zach was there with offensive tackle Todd Wade. Zach certainly has the stats. Each of you made me a better player and are a big part of where I am today. "It was powerful. Taylor was no stranger to sacking the quarterback as And for me, I pretty much used that as, well, Im different. Obviously I think (know) that Zach Thomas should be in the Hall of Fame. It was definitely a chess match. God bless, Tua Tagovailoa throws interception. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. The IDC (Internet Dolphins Community) have been very vocal in their displeasure about Zach not getting a mustard-colored jacket on all of the social media platforms. Now his former teammate Zach Thomas, who spent 11 seasons with the Dolphins And two of his most decorated proteges, Bill Belichick in New England and Sean Payton in New Orleans, must have thought that a mistake because they tried to sign Thomas. Teammates marveled at how many hours Thomas would spend each week studying film, searchingfor even the slightest edge over the upcoming opponent. To go from being a fifth-round pick to football immortality? Get in-depth, sideline coverage of Miami area sports - only $1 a month. The Dolphins already had veteran Jack Del Rio. I am truly honored and humbled to be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Thomas said. Or he was my favorite player. . The honor comes in Thomas' fourth year as a Hall finalist. I didnt know anything about football, Maritza says. I hear Bill Belichick does it to Tom Brady. He was a sports enthusiast as a kid and Thomas friends noticed early on that he was a bit different than the other local youth. But Im not knocking Saban. Youre rebuilding. I dont look the part. "You cant take me out.". Yes, life has changed for Thomas since he stopped playing in 2009. Yet Zach Thomas had a much more productive career in terms of tackles per game. And Im right in front of my defense. That year he had 122 tackles, (17 for loss), 5 passes defended 1 forced fumble, no interceptions and 6 sacks. Lastly, I want to thank the Dolphins fans. Columnist. Both of them stand 5-foot-11, and both of them know what its like to be underrated. Their 4-year-old daughter Sienna playfully climbs over the couple as they talk, while 10-year-old Christian and 8-year-old Valentina kick around a soccer ball on the putting-green-quality lawn nearby. Saying that would make me feel Im being ungrateful. What gives? Required fields are marked *. Habib: Hall voters didn't 'rob' Dolphins' Zach Thomas. Your email address will not be published. Back then they were miking the refs and I didnt know about it, Thomas says. Taylor joined ESPN as a pro football analyst on June 6, The games been too good to me.. The more I thought about it though the more ridiculous that seemed. Thats different than some recent Dolphins teams, including the ones who produced good moments and the ones that disappointed. Here are the 17 linebackers drafted ahead of Hall of Famer Zach Thomas in 1996, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. This story was originally published January 24, 2020, 12:09 PM. So in 2009, Thomas signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Well thats over now. What Happened to Zach Thomas and Where is He Now? Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas is one of the most dangerous defensive players in league history. However, his body-rocking hits came at a price, and he dealt with numerous concussions throughout his 13-year NFL career. I was dead tired after running so far, Taylor said. I would always say no, but I said, Im coming with you. So we would have never met if Junior hadnt brought me out. I guess when I came home and told my brothers, I said, This football player was asking for my number. And they asked, who and I told them Zach Thomas. And that was him exploding into tackles a whopping 1,734 of them before anyone got the better of him. Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis, Dolphins legend Zach Thomas says handicap as preschooler instilled work ethic, Oops! And they decided it was time for Thomas and the Dolphins to go their separate ways. With Thomas leading the way with major contributions from Taylor obviously the Dolphins defense finished in the top 10 in fewest yards allowed an Were in a practice and, you know we started the season [2-1], but then we lost a couple straight so he was upset, Thomas says. It is also a podcast that features interviews with both current and former NFL stars and you can listen via Spreaker and Apple Podcasts. But soon the games old stresses and retirements welcome peace will be locked in a standoff. As great as he was on the field, he is even better as a family man and a role model. Thanks to all my coaches, trainers and equipment staff for helping this honor become a reality. Equal to his peers. They brought me in and I had a 1-on-1 talk with Bill, Thomas says. To me, is he a Hall of Famer? Two other numbers have been shadow retired, with Zach Thomas number 54 Thomas says he came to love Sabans ability to prepare the Dolphins. They say its 1/10th of 1 percent just to make it to the NFL. Zach has all the history with the guy going from a 5th* round pick by Jimmy to 2 time 1st team All-pro selection before Jimmy Retired beginning of 99 Featured Image: Zach Thomas lined up for action. And many highlights, Adam Shaheen speaks about not getting vaccinated as Dolphins respect player choice. Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas has been on the doorstep of the Pro Football Hall of Fame a couple of times but still hasnt gotten in. I said, Hes the guy that will play hard to the whistle but hell be away from the play and hell cut you, youll blow your knee out, and as hes walking away, hell say, God bless you. . So theyre telling me, Theyre trying to trade you right now.. Theyre the Patriots.. Former Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson will be his presenter. Thats why hes a winner.. But somehow Urlacher was a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee and Thomas who retired earlier is still waiting to get into Canton. He is one of 48 Pro Football Hall of Fame voters. Zach being Zach, its not going to disappear until after Aug. 5, when he unveils a bust that may as well have a grin. On the other hand the former Bears player forced 11 fumbles as a player whilst Thomas forced 16. Couldnt believe it.. But all that enjoyment didnt exactly bloom early in their relationship.

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