Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
One step left to take
Beloved former Dolphin Thomas’ NFL journey could be culminating in Canton
Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas chuckles in describing his life these days.
“I feel like an Uber driver with three children, taking them everywhere,” he said. “And I love it.”
By Saturday, he should feel like a Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker, if everything goes right. He is one of 15 modern-era player finalists for the Class of 2020. The Dolphins great has kept a low profile since his playing days, but here he answers 12 questions covering everything from his career to his
current life.
1. What was your best moment in football?
“It sounds cheesy, but it’s always before I stepped on the field my rookie year. The New England game, right before the game, I just remember thinking, ‘I made it,’ even before I played one play. I’d made my dream. I wasn’t going to give that up.
“That’s probably why I was so crazy about doing countless hours of work — I never took it for granted. Coming out of high school, I was all-state [in Texas]
and only got a couple offers. Same in college — [as a] twotime All-American, I was the 154th [draft] pick in ’96.
“I always had a chip on my shoulder. There were 17 linebackers drafted ahead of me, and I’d name them all. I used that for motivation. I was always looking for that motivation.”
2. Can you still name the 17 linebackers drafted before you?
“Kevin Hardy, John Mobley, Reggie Brown, Ray Lewis, Randall Godfrey, Donnie Edwards, Earl Holmes, Tedy Bruschi, Percell Gaskins, LaCurtis Jones … hmm, did I say Earl Holmes? I used to know them all.”
3. What best illustrates how intensely you prepared?
“What was more important to me — and it sounds crazy — was the walk-through. Practices during the week were practices, but guys put their guard down on walk-throughs. But because alignment was so important for me, I’d make sure everything was set on walk-throughs. My alignment was No. 1 because I didn’t want clean shots [from blockers]. It wasn’t just where the play was going I prepared for; it was the linemen coming up and getting a clean shot. I never wanted to take on a lineman up square.
“[Defensive tackle] Tim Bowens, with that big butt, kept them off me. Same with Daryl Gardener on the other side. I was always big on alignment, but I always knew if someone hit you big on a play, it was always because of the pre-snap [alignment]. It could be an inch this way or that way. And the depth — that’s important. You’d have to see how heavy [offensive linemen] were on their hands, how light. Different tells I’d notice on on film.”
4. Toughest teammate you had?
“The most competitive was [Jason Taylor]. That’s why he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He was similar to Kobe [Bryant], where his competitiveness was off the charts.
“As far as toughest, I’d say Trace Armstrong. That guy was a true pro. They used to nickname me the “Baby Elephant” because I was always at his hip. Where he went, I went. He stopped, I stopped.
“He was six [or] seven years into a successful career, and I wanted to learn. I used his stretch therapist, I used his financial adviser. That’s what I did early on in my career — I followed him.”
5. Funniest teammate?
“It had to be Channing Crowder. He was always loose and hilarious.”
6. You bought a hyperbaric chamber to get more oxygen in your system while playing. When’s the last time you slept in it?
“Back when I played. I gave up everything after I was done playing. I sold it to Channing.
“He comes over to the house [and] I gave him a discount. He gave me a stack of cash. I said, ‘Channing, just write a check because you can write this off [on taxes].’ He wanted to give me the stack of cash.’’
7. How did Kobe Bryant’s death hit you?
“It hit hard. I was a huge fan of his. Doesn’t matter what sport when a guy is so great and competitive for so long — 20 years, 18 All-Stars. He had that laser-like focus you want. He’d do anything to win. And for … especially when you see the people involved too, his daughter and other passengers. I have daughters. It’s so sad.”
8. What do you remember of your final day in football?
“I was concussed for about six months, so there wasn’t a lot I could remember. I didn’t want to give it up; I had to give it up. I figured the game out, but your body lets you down.
“Everything I had going with therapists and muscles, I figured I could play another 10 years. But when it comes to your head, that stops everything. I had to quit being selfish, step away. But it’s hard when you’re [at] the top.
“My last year here I only played five games, but they graded out among the best in my career. I’d figured it out. It came with experience. That’s why it’s hard to give up. “
9. What are you most proud about your career?
“The proudest thing is just being a good teammate. If you go back over my career, when I see guys, they’ll say how great a teammate I was. No one remembers all the stats and accolades. They remember how you were as a teammate.
“For myself, that was No. 1, even though I never thought about being a great teammate. The best respect [is] when guys reach out and talk about that. There’s guys I met even on the practice squad, some guys I can’t remember their names — and they say what a great teammate I was. I’m proud of that.”
10. Did you watch Jimmy Johnson get in the Hall of Fame on TV?
“I was watching it live. Very emotional. Very proud of him. Whatever the case, I’m going to be in Canton, win or lose [with his candidacy]. I’m so happy he got in because that guy was the best to me. I was lucky to be drafted by him, lucky to be put in his system, lucky to be coached by him.”
11. Did you cry watching Jimmy on TV?
“Oh, yeah. I was tearing up.”
12. Has anyone mentioned Super Bowl 54 is good karma for No. 54’s Hall of Fame chances?
“My wife even brought that up. That would be awesome in the hometown. The way I look at it, I won already being in the conversation. I am that way.
“I don’t like all this, all the campaigning. But being in the conversation with all these greats, I came a long way. When I was 8 years old, I just wanted to make the NFL one year. To be recognized 10 years out — you know I’m proud of that. I’m a little humbled.”