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Joe Thomas grateful for chance to represent Cleveland Browns

Despite consistent struggles to win games, Joe Thomas always will be grateful for the chance to represent the Cleveland Browns for 11 seasons.

BEREA, Ohio -- There were hugs and photos, laughs after jokes and poignant moments inside the Casey Coleman Fieldhouse at Cleveland Browns headquarters in Berea Monday, and they were in appreciation of one man, 10-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas.

But through the laughter, sarcasm and realism, there was an air of appreciation from Thomas, a man who played on just one winning team in his 11 years with the Browns, because Cleveland gave him the opportunity to pursue a passion, meet lifelong friends and compete at the highest level.

“My passion for my team, my city never wavered,” Thomas said. “I was proud to say I was a Brown.”

Thomas thanked all of his former head coaches, position coaches, Browns officials and staff members, and many of his teammates during the press conference, and credited two men specifically with his progress at the NFL level, former Cleveland offensive line coach George Warhop and center Alex Mack, with whom he appeared alongside in three Pro Bowls.

“I was pretty good before he arrived, made a couple Pro Bowls,’ but he helped take my game to the next level,” Thomas said of Warhop.

In December of 2016, Thomas was selected to his 10th consecutive Pro Bowl, and went 10 for 10 in all-star game nods over his first decade as a professional since entering the league via the No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of the University of Wisconsin.

With that selection, Thomas became the first Browns player ever chosen to participate in 10 Pro Bowls.

“The thing I’ll miss most is right behind me, the guys in the locker room,” Thomas said. “The conversations, the arguments, I don’t think you can find that brotherhood anywhere else.

“To read all of the messages from friends and former teammates, I’ve gone through a lot of tissues over the last week.”

Credit: Jason Miller, Custom
Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas talks to his teammates prior to the start of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 29, 2013.

Prior to his career-shortening triceps tendon injury last October, Thomas played 10,363 consecutive snaps, which is believed to be the longest such streak in NFL history.

“Even though I won’t be on the field, I want to be a positive representation of the Browns,” Thomas said.

“I’m not retiring. My job is just changing from being the starting left tackle to being the No. 1 fan of the Cleveland Browns.”

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