Mawae: Thomas in HOF a no-brainer
Former New York Jets star Kevin Mawae made it perfectly clear that he believes Miami Dolphins great Zach Thomas belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
During his Hall-of-Fame induction speech on Saturday night, Mawae said Thomas is the one player he can name that deserves to wear the gold jacket and have a bust of himself in Canton, Ohio.
“Zach Thomas was my nemesis,” said Mawae, who played 16 seasons for the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans. “My first year with the Jets before the first game we played each other, [coach] Bill Parcells told me in front of my entire team, ‘If you don’t block Thomas, we won’t win the game.’ And for the next 16 matchups, I never forgot that.
“Zach was one of — if not the smartest — players I ever faced,” said Mawae, an eight-time Pro Bowl center. “He loved the game, had fun when he played and brought the best out in me. When people ask me, ‘Who is not in the Hall of Fame that I think should be?’ — it’s easy for me, number 54 from the Miami Dolphins.”
Thomas, a semifinalist for first time this year, may have a better opportunity to get in next year. As part of the NFL’s celebration of its 100th season, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will expand the number of potential inductees to 20 in 2020.
After former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was inducted in 2018, it was believed it was just a matter of time before Thomas would get in as they had comparable careers.
Thomas, an undersized overachiever at middle linebacker, was a fan favorite during his 12-year career (1996-2007) with the Dolphins. Thomas, a fifthround draft pick, was a seven-time Pro Bowl player and five-time All-Pro. He also was the AFC’s defensive rookie of the year in 1996.
The former Texas Tech standout spent the 2008 season with his hometown Dallas Cowboys before retiring.