10,363 consecutive snaps. Joe Thomas is a Cleveland legend. He is a ten-time Pro Bowler. A staple on a team that couldn’t be more unstable. He has not missed a game – not one single offensive snap – since he turned Pro in 2007. This was his 11th season to never miss a snap!
In yesterday’s game against the Tennessee Titans, Joe Thomas suffered a torn left triceps during a routine block. He is out for the rest of the season, along with a whole slew of NFL players including, but not limited to Julian Edelman, Aaron Rodgers, Odell Beckham, Jr., J.J. Watt, Carson Palmer, and Andrew Luck (who is still out from an injury that occurred last year).
The loss of these big-name players is causing some people to stop watching the NFL. This has already been a tough season for the NFL with players taking a knee for the National Anthem, Ezekiel Elliott’s ongoing suspension debacle, and endless injuries.
Some fans had already tuned out last year because of Colin Kaepernick and Tom Brady (who can forget Deflategate). It has been estimated that over a million people have stopped watching the NFL this year. However, even with a huge number of people not watching, the NFL still has the most-watched shows each week, and it has not attempted to win back fans by forcing players to stand during the National Anthem.
Thomas’ injury strikes close to home. We met Joe Thomas a couple years ago, and he couldn’t have been any nicer. We love his low-key attitude and his genuine good guyness. Our beloved Browns have been taking hit after hit but this is the most painful. The Cleveland Browns will not be the same without Joe Thomas: a leader, a role model, and a good friend to his teammates.