JOE THOMAS SURPASSES 10,000 CONSECUTIVE SNAPSJOE THOMAS SURPASSES 10,000 CONSECUTIVE SNAPS
Joe Thomas has passed a milestone we might never see reached again.
The Browns left tackle and future Hall of Famer played his 10,000th consecutive snap Sunday in Baltimore, the team announced. The milestone came on the first play of Cleveland's second possession, a 9-yard carry by Isaiah Crowell.
Cleveland selected Thomas with the third-overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. He's been a starter from his first game of his rookie season, in which Cleveland won 10 games and fell just short of making the playoffs, and hasn't missed a snap in his career.
Thomas has started in 161 consecutive games, the longest streak among active offensive linemen. During that span, Thomas has played for six different head coaches, blocked for 22 quarterbacks and 69 ball carriers, and has played with 403 teammates (15 of which made the Pro Bowl). The tackle has made 10 Pro Bowls in his career.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell congratulated Thomas:
Congrats @joethomas73 on your 10,000+ consecutive snap streak. There's no questioning your dedication & your excellence on and off the field pic.twitter.com/eWZFwljhzs
— Roger Goodell (@nflcommish) September 18, 2017
A couple of star athletes offered their congratulations to Thomas:
Unbelievable @joethomas73!! 10k consecutive snaps played! Playing in the trenches too! Crazy man! Congrats big fella!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 17, 2017
10,000 consecutive snaps.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 17, 2017
That's unbelievable.
Hats off to you good sir, @joethomas73
Thomas weighed in on how meaningful the milestone and the congratulations were to him:
I've really been humbled by the outpouring of respect from people all over the country. I'm at a loss for words
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) September 17, 2017
I feel like a guy who's just always wanted to be there for my teammates, and I blink my eyes and 10k snaps has gone by.
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) September 17, 2017
I've just always wanted to get up and play the next play...do my job. Do my part to help my team. I've never felt like a star.
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) September 17, 2017
Today was difficult, at times, to feel like the spotlight was on me. But in reality...
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) September 17, 2017
The spotlight should b on my teammates, coaches, support staff, family; all the way from Jr Lancers to Browns. U guys r the real heros/stars
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) September 17, 2017