Joe Thomas in 2015 (Wikipedia Commons. Author: Erik Drost)
Cleveland Browns veteran Joe Thomas is leaving the NFL for good.
The 33-year-old offensive tackle announced Wednesday that he is retiring from the sport, and cited the toll it has taken on his body. His announcement comes on the same day the new NFL year begins.
Thomas was selected by the Browns with the third overall pick out of Wisconsin in the 2007 Draft. He’s a ten-time Pro-Bowler and a six-time First-Team All-Pro.
The lineman played every offensive snap for Cleveland from his rookie season through Week 7 in 2017, when he suffered a torn triceps that ended his impressive streak at 10,363 consecutive snaps.
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Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam thanked Thomas in a statement: “We want to thank him for everything he has done for the Browns and the Northeast Ohio community.”
Thomas delivered this video message to fans regarding his retirement:
Thomas also got a shoutout from LeBron James on Twitter:
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