Dolphins great Zach Thomas named finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Dolphins great Zach Thomas on Wednesday night was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023, the fourth consecutive year he has advanced to the 15-person modern-era final ballot.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the list of finalists which will later be cut down to 10 players and then five who will be voted on individually for enshrinement. Once the ballot is cut to five players, a finalist must receive at least 80 percent of the vote from the selection committee for enshrinement.
The 49-year-old Thomas, a 13-year linebacker, has been on the modern-era ballot for a decade.
“Man, I don’t ever want anybody to feel sorry for me,” Thomas told the Miami Herald in February 2022 after he was denied entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022. “I got the best out of myself and the game gave me so much. I can put time in with my kids because of football. Why would I ever complain on a game that’s the best honor in the world? That’s just not me. The game’s been so good to me.”
Thomas, a fifth-round pick by the Dolphins in the 1996 NFL Draft, totaled 1,734 total tackles, 20.5 sacks, 17 interceptions, 14 forced fumbles and four touchdowns during his career — the first 12 of which were with the Dolphins (1996-2007). A member of the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 2000s, Thomas was also named first- or second-team All-Pro seven times and a seven-time Pro Bowler.
Joining Thomas on the 15-player list are three former Miami Hurricanes — Devin Hester, Andre Johnson and Reggie Wayne.
The Hall of Fame’s 49-person selection committee will select the Class of 2023 in advance of Super Bowl 57 in Glendale, Arizona. The class will be announced live on the “NFL Honors” telecast at 9 p.m. on Feb. 9.
Modern-era finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023
▪ Jared Allen
▪ Willie Anderson
▪ Ronde Barber
▪ Dwight Freeney
▪ Devin Hester
▪ Torry Holt
▪ Andre Johnson
▪ Albert Lewis
▪ Darrelle Revis
▪ Joe Thomas
▪ Zach Thomas
▪ Demarcus Ware
▪ Reggie Wayne
▪ Patrick Willis
▪ Darren Woodson
This story was originally published January 4, 2023 at 9:24 PM.
