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Farewell Joe Thomas: Twitter reactions, videos, and fun facts

Joe Thomas played as a king then retired on top, preferring to finish at his peak rather than continuing to play as he slowly became mortal.

2012 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award Press Conference Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Joe Thomas played as a king then retired on top, preferring to finish at his peak rather than continuing to play as he slowly became mortal.

“This was an extremely difficult decision, but the right one for me and my family,” Thomas said in the team’s press release following the announcement. “Playing in the NFL has taken a toll on my body and I can no longer physically compete at the level I need to.”

That’s commendable, although somewhat disappointing. It may sound crazy, but as great as it is to see him retire as a Cleveland Brown, it would have been satisfying to see him in a playoff game, just once, and maybe even see him hoist a Lombardy Trophy before hanging it up.

But that’s not what’s going to happen. Thomas, one of the most consistent and most talented offensive linemen of the current NFL era, played in exactly zero playoff games as a member of the Browns. His first taste of the postseason may end up being as a broadcaster, because the media booth is where you’ll be able to find him sometime soon—look out, Tony Romo.

Joe was a class act in the purest sense of the phrase, opting to be a stable presence amongst the chaos of change that has swept through the Browns locker room during his 11 seasons with the franchise. He’ll be missed, surely, but there’s something kind of serendipitous about the Thomas’ exit.

Did he just retire as the team has finally put together a team that can compete on Sundays?

That’s still to be determined. For now, let’s go around the league to see how his retirement was received.

From the man himself:

A video from his employer for the last 11 years:

A shout out from the GOAT:

A bunch of his teammates, old and new, and some other notables paid their respects to Thomas for his sensational career:

SB Nation had some parting words for Thomas in this unique video:

Here are some fun facts about Thomas’ career:

Some Really Great Videos:

Someone at Pro Football Talk had some parting shots for Thomas as he ventures into his next chapter. Definitely, and I mean it, do not put a hex on this person. I really mean it (wink). (Also, please let Mike Florio know he can send the SBNation.gif royalties to my PayPal.)

The FIRST in HISTORY:

Semi-NSFW Tweets (only our Twitter account):