Zach Thomas is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He was born on September 1, 1973, in Pampa, Texas, and attended Texas Tech University, where he played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Thomas was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the best linebackers in the league, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and five First-Team All-Pro honors during his career. He was also named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.
Thomas was known for his toughness, intelligence, and ability to read offenses. He was a tackling machine, finishing his career with 1,720 tackles, 20.5 sacks, and 17 interceptions. He was also a team leader and was named the Dolphins' team MVP five times.
In addition to his success on the field, Thomas was also known for his philanthropy. He founded the Zach Thomas Foundation, which supports various charities and organizations that help children in need.
After spending 12 seasons with the Dolphins, Thomas signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2008. However, he suffered a concussion early in the season and was placed on injured reserve, effectively ending his career.
Thomas retired as one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. He was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll in 2012. In 2020, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats.
🏈