Hall of Fame finalists announced: Zach Thomas case will be heard; South Florida represented
When he was selected in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft, almost as an afterthought, Zach Thomas reported to the Miami Dolphins merely wanting a chance to let his play make a case for him belonging in the NFL.
He did more than prove he merely belonged. He became one of the finest players in the Dolphins’ storied history over a 12-year career in Miami, and one more year with the Dallas Cowboys. Thomas was voted to the 2000-2010 NFL All-Decade Team, along with Hall of Fame linebackers Derrick Brooks, Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher.
And now history is sort of repeating.
Thomas, who retired after the 2008 season, is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That announcement, made Thursday evening on national cable television, signaled the first time Thomas made it through to the round-of-15 finalists after being among 25 semifinalist in 2019.
This is important because being a finalist means Thomas will be “in the room,” so to speak. It means for the first time, the 48 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors who debate and vote on candidates for induction will discuss Thomas in person.
Thomas once again will have his play state a case for him belonging in elite company.
“I’m humbled and honored to be named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, alongside 14 great players I truly admire,” Thomas said Monday.
“The voters have a great challenge on their hands to select this year’s class from such an accomplished group, and I appreciate they’ve decided I should be part of the conversation.”
Thomas is joined by 14 other finalists that include four other men with South Florida ties: Former University of Miami running back Edgerrin James, former University of Miami receiver Reggie Wayne, receiver Isaac Bruce, a Dillard High grad, and guard Steve Hutchinson, a Coral Springs High grad, are also in this class.
The rest of the class includes safety Steve Atwater; offensive tackle Tony Boselli; former Florida State defensive back Leroy Butler; guard Alan Faneca; receiver Torry Holt; safety John Lynch; linebacker Sam Mills; safety Troy Polamalu; defensive lineman Richard Seymour; and defensive lineman Bryant Young.
Thomas won’t actually make his own case. He, like all other finalists, will have a presenter. And that presentation will stand on a foundation of seemingly endless big plays and impressive feats Thomas collected through the years.
Among those: Thomas was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time first-team All-Pro pick. He was named the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1996 and was twice an NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year.
Thomas will also be weighed for induction on his 1,633 career tackles, a number that rivals or exceeds many linebackers already enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Despite his credentials and new status as a finalist, Thomas struck a familiar modest chord when discussing being a finalist.
“I definitely did not get this far alone,” Thomas said. “I’m being considered because I had great coaches, teammates and incredible fans who helped and supported me. I can’t thank them enough for their outpouring of love.”
Among those former teammates, there’s no question whether Thomas belongs in the Hall of Fame. Dan Marino in previous years wrote an endorsement letter on behalf of Thomas. And others talk openly about Thomas deserving induction.
“Absolutely,” former Dolphins receiver O.J. McDuffie said when asked if Thomas is Hall of Fame worthy. “Without a doubt. With his numbers and longevity, Zach is 1,000 percent a Hall of Fame person and a Hall of Fame player. The number of plays he made, the number of tackles he made, the Pro Bowls he made, he’s a Hall of Famer for sure.”
The 15 modern-era player finalists will be considered for election to the Hall of Fame when the Hall’s selection committee meets on “Selection Saturday” in Miami the day before Super Bowl 54. In that regard, this selection process will be something of a home game for Thomas.
The full committee will elect five modern-era players who must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent from the committee.
The modern-era player finalists were determined by a vote of the Hall’s selection committee from a list of 122 nominees named in September that was reduced to 25 Semifinalists in late November.
This story was originally published January 2, 2020 at 6:12 PM.
