Zachary Michael Thomas was born on September 1,1973 and is an American former professional football player who was a middle linebacker in the National Football League for 13 seasons.
81 Facts About Zach Thomas
2.
Zach Thomas played college football for Texas Tech University, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American.
3.
Zach Thomas was drafted in the fifth round, 22nd pick, in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, and played for the Dolphins in his first 12 seasons in the NFL, before playing his 13th and final season with the Dallas Cowboys.
4.
Zach Thomas was named the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1996.
5.
Zach Thomas was the first Dolphins player to win the Dolphins Team Leadership Award a record three times, until Jason Taylor surpassed him with four.
6.
In five of those nine seasons, Zach Thomas' defenses finished top five in total scoring defense, including 1st overall in 1998.
7.
Zach Thomas is known for his longevity with the Dolphins, and currently is 2nd all time in Dolphins history for most games played by a defensive player in the team's history with 168, behind Taylor's 204.
8.
Zach Thomas was named a two-time NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year, and was selected to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.
9.
In 2015, Zach Thomas was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
10.
On February 9th, 2023 in his 10th year of eligibility and in his 4th straight year being a finalist, Zach Thomas was elected as a member to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023, and is set to be formally enshrined on August 5th.
11.
Zach Thomas attended White Deer Schools in White Deer, Texas until he was a sophomore then transferred to Pampa High School in his junior year.
12.
Zach Thomas was a standout high school football player and was named a first-team all-state selection as a senior.
13.
Zach Thomas attended Texas Tech University, where he was a three-year starter at linebacker for the Texas Tech Red Raider football team.
14.
Zach Thomas is one of 5 Red Raiders to be named a Unanimous All-American along with Mark Bounds, Byron Hanspard, Michael Crabtree, and Jace Amaro.
15.
Zach Thomas recorded 390 tackles, including a career-high 131 tackles and a school-record 20 tackles against Georgia in his senior season.
16.
Zach Thomas finished the game with 12 combined tackles, one fumble recovery, and the game-clinching interception return for a touchdown.
17.
Zach Thomas was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
18.
Zach Thomas was considered to be too small and not fast or athletic enough to play at the professional level according to scouts and draft experts.
19.
Zach Thomas was the 18th linebacker drafted in a linebacker class that included Ray Lewis, Tedy Bruschi, Donnie Edwards, and Kevin Hardy.
20.
Zach Thomas was the second linebacker the Dolphins drafted in 1996, joining their fourth round pick Baylor linebacker LaCurtis Jones.
21.
Zach Thomas was initially drafted to join special teams after the Miami Dolphins' special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff recommended him to head coach Jimmy Johnson.
22.
The bottom line is that Zach Thomas was making plays.
23.
Zach Thomas has quickness, he's an instinctive player, and he makes plays.
24.
Zach Thomas impressed the Dolphins' coaching staff during training camp and quickly rose up the depth chart to compete for the job as the starting middle linebacker against Jack Del Rio.
25.
Head coach Jimmy Johnson officially named Zach Thomas the starting middle linebacker to begin the regular season.
26.
Zach Thomas made his first career tackle on Patriots' running back Curtis Martin and made his first career sack on Patriots' quarterback Drew Bledsoe for a six-yard loss in the first quarter.
27.
Zach Thomas made his first career interception off a pass by Bills' quarterback Jim Kelly, that was originally intended for tight end Lonnie Johnson, and returned it for an 11-yard gain in the first quarter.
28.
Zach Thomas intercepted a pass by Oilers' quarterback Chris Chandler, that was intended for tight end Frank Wycheck, and returned it for a 26-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
29.
Zach Thomas finished his rookie season in 1996 with 153 combined tackles, three interceptions, and two sacks, while starting all 16 games.
30.
Zach Thomas was a 1997 Pro Bowl alternate and an All-Rookie selection in 1996.
31.
Head coach Jimmy Johnson named Zach Thomas the starting middle linebacker upon his return from injury.
32.
Zach Thomas started alongside outside linebackers Anthony Harris and Derrick Rodgers.
33.
Zach Thomas finished the 1997 season with a total of 127 combined tackles, an interception, and was credited with half a sack in 15 games and 15 starts.
34.
Zach Thomas was retained as the starting middle linebacker for the third consecutive season and started alongside outside linebackers Robert Jones and Derrick Rodgers.
35.
Zach Thomas intercepted a pass by Steelers' quarterback Kordell Stewart and returned it for a 17-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
36.
Zach Thomas started in all 16 games in 1998 and recorded 133 combined tackles, three interceptions, and two sacks.
37.
Zach Thomas was first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career as the Dolphins defense allowed the fewest points in the NFL.
38.
Zach Thomas started in all 16 games in 1999 and recorded 132 combined tackles, a sack, and an interception.
39.
Zach Thomas was selected to the 2000 Pro Bowl, marking the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.
40.
Zach Thomas was sidelined during the Dolphins' Week 5 victory at the Cincinnati Bengals due to a sprained ankle.
41.
Zach Thomas was inactive for four games after aggravating his sprained ankle during a Week 8 loss at the New York Jets the previous week.
42.
Zach Thomas finished the 2000 season with 99 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an interception in 11 games and 11 starts.
43.
Zach Thomas started alongside Twan Russell and Derrick Rodgers to begin the 2001 regular season.
44.
Zach Thomas intercepted a pass by Titans backup quarterback Neil O'Donnell, that was intended for tight end Erron Kinney, and returned it for a 34-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
45.
Zach Thomas finished the 2001 season with 154 combined tackles, three sacks, two pass deflections, two interceptions, and a touchdown in 15 games and 15 starts.
46.
Zach Thomas returned as the starting middle linebacker under head coach Dave Wannstedt and started alongside outside linebackers Derrick Rodgers and Morlon Greenwood.
47.
Zach Thomas started in all 16 games in 2002 and recorded 156 combined tackles, two pass deflections, an interception, and was credited with half a sack.
48.
Zach Thomas was inactive for the Dolphins' Week 10 loss at the Tennessee Titans due to a groin injury.
49.
Zach Thomas intercepted a pass by Cowboys' quarterback Quincy Carter, that was intended for wide receiver Terry Glenn, in the fourth quarter.
50.
Zach Thomas finished the 2002 season with 152 combined tackles, six pass deflections, three interceptions, and a sack in 15 games and 15 starts.
51.
Zach Thomas was selected to play in the 2004 Pro Bowl and earned his fifth All-Pro selection in six years.
52.
Zach Thomas started alongside Morlon Greenwood and Junior Seau in 2004 after the Dolphins signed Seau during free agency.
53.
Zach Thomas injured his hamstring and was sidelined for three games.
54.
Zach Thomas finished the 2004 NFL season with 145 combined tackles, four pass deflections, and two sacks in 13 games and 13 starts.
55.
Zach Thomas started the 2005 season alongside outside linebackers Channing Crowder and Junior Seau.
56.
Zach Thomas played under defensive coordinator Richard Smith and linebackers coach George Edwards.
57.
Zach Thomas's 14 combined tackles against the Chiefs continued his streak of six consecutive games with double-digit tackles.
58.
In Week 11, Zach Thomas injured his shoulder and was inactive for the next two games.
59.
On December 19,2005, it was announced that Zach Thomas was selected to play in the 2006 Pro Bowl, marking his seventh Pro Bowl selection of his career.
60.
Zach Thomas tied for the third most Pro Bowl appearances in club history; this is the record for most Pro Bowl selections among all defensive players in the Dolphins' franchise history.
61.
Zach Thomas finished his tenth season in 2005 with 158 combined tackles, three pass deflections, two sacks, and two interceptions in 14 games and 14 starts.
62.
On December 20,2006, Zach Thomas was selected to play in the 2007 Pro Bowl as part of the AFC Roster.
63.
Zach Thomas started all 16 games in 2006 and recorded a career-high 165 combined tackles, nine passes defensed, three sacks, and an interception.
64.
Zach Thomas remained the starting middle linebacker, alongside outside linebackers Channing Crowder and Joey Porter.
65.
Zach Thomas's concussion rendered him inactive for the next two games.
66.
On October 21,2007, Zach Thomas was involved in a car collision and sustained another concussion during the accident.
67.
Zach Thomas's repeated concussions caused Thomas to have migraine headaches that lingered until being placed on the injured reserve list.
68.
On December 4,2007, the Miami Dolphins officially placed Zach Thomas on injured reserve after he missed five games due to his repeated migraine headaches.
69.
Zach Thomas finished the 2007 season with 52 combined tackles, two pass deflections, and a sack in five games and five starts.
70.
On February 14,2008, the Miami Dolphins released Zach Thomas after announcing that he no longer fit into their long term plans and his contract was terminated.
71.
Zach Thomas received offers from the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots.
72.
Zach Thomas started alongside Bradie James and outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis.
73.
Zach Thomas finished the season with 94 combined tackles, three pass deflections, and a sack in 16 games and 14 starts.
74.
An unrestricted free agent in the 2009 offseason, Zach Thomas agreed to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs on April 11.
75.
Zach Thomas owns the Zach's Club 54 in Amarillo and Lubbock.
76.
In 2006, Zach Thomas was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame.
77.
In 2015, Zach Thomas was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the following year in 2016, was inducted into the Texas Tech Red Raiders Ring of Honor.
78.
In 2012, Zach Thomas was inducted into the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll alongside his teammate Jason Taylor.
79.
Zach Thomas became eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame beginning in 2014, and would become a semi-finalist for the first time in 2019.
80.
Zach Thomas was raised in Pampa, Texas by his parents, Steve and Bobby Zach Thomas.
81.
Zach Thomas has an older brother, Bart Thomas, and younger sister, Katina Thomas.