MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins are hosting a celebration Sunday to recognize legendary linebacker Zach Thomas on his recent induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The team announced Tuesday that festivities will be highlighted by a halftime ceremony and ring presentation during the Dolphins’ Week 6 matchup against the Carolina Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium.
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“We are proud to honor Zach for his accomplishments and excited to celebrate him alongside his family, teammates and Dolphins fans this weekend,” Dolphins vice chairman, president and CEO Tom Garfinkel said in a press release Tuesday. “Zach’s leadership, work ethic and dedication to this franchise and the South Florida community throughout his 12 seasons as a Miami Dolphin exemplify why his legacy is now forever cemented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It is our pleasure to celebrate Zach as we congratulate him on this incredible feat and recognize him as one of the greatest Dolphins of all time.”
Thomas is expected to be joined on the field by Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and the president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jim Porter, for the ring display.
The ring is set in 14-karat gold with a total diamond weight of 1.75 carats. Thomas will also address the fans in attendance during the halftime ceremony, according to the team’s press release.
Thomas was the first speaker of his 2023 Hall of Fame class, which included Ken Riley, DeMarcus Ware, Joe Klecko, Chuck Howley, Darrell Revis, Ronde Barber, Joe Thomas and the late Don Coryell.
Thomas, a fifth-round draft pick from Texas Tech, didn’t fit the size description of your typical NFL linebacker. At 5-foot-11 and 228 pounds, Thomas was undersized and often overlooked.
According to Thomas’ biography, he was barely scouted out of high school and originally recruited out of Texas Tech to play special teams for the Dolphins.
Miami selected him with the 154th pick in the 1996 NFL draft — the 19th linebacker taken in a class that includes NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis.
Thomas spent the rest of his 13-season NFL career running through blocks, and doubt, en route to seven Pro Bowls, five All-Pro selections and the fifth-most tackles (1,734) in NFL history.
Viewers are encouraged to leave their favorite Zach Thomas memory in the comment section below.
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The legendary Zach Thomas. pic.twitter.com/vExeTmyWhA
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 5, 2023
A full circle moment. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/XaNEFtpCb5
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 5, 2023
What a special day in Canton. Zach Thomas gets his much deserved special moment to wrap up an incredible weekend. 27 years in the making. He’s a Hall of Famer. pic.twitter.com/6XJvG3QDVr
— Will Manso (@WillMansoWPLG) August 5, 2023