He starts, Zach, Im trying to make a point to get it to the team, Thomas recalls. Then [Jason Taylor] jumps into it and everyones all wide-eyed getting into it back and forth.. But as agent Drew Rosenhaus predicted to Thomas, if Belichick made him an offer, others would follow suit. As great as he was on the field, he is even better as a family man and a role model. For me to sit here and say I deserve being in the Hall of Fame, thats just not me. The tough decisions are picking which real estate investment to try and what workout to do to keep trim. I got wind of it from a bunch of people because I knew everyone in the building, you know? Jenna and Zach married in 2021 and welcomed a baby boy together. This is Zach Thomas life now. Zach Thomas 1 on that list., He made everybody that played with him better. fl-miami-dolphins-1010B - Retired Miami Dolphins linebackers Jason Taylor, left, and Zach Thomas, right, entered the Dolphins Ring of Honor on Tuesday, October 9, 2012. Two other numbers have been shadow retired, with Zach Thomas number 54 Mawae laughed and still laughs at the story to this day. And maybe I should have bit my tongue, but thats just not me.. The Hall of Fame vote on the Saturday before the Super Bowl is a routine-changer for the Thomas family this year. The conversation got far enough along that Belichick told Thomas he probably wouldnt be able to take Tedy Bruschis jersey number 54, the one Thomas wore in Miami. But I understood. Zach Thomas is holding his wife Maritzas hand as they sit in the gazebo by their pool. It was definitely a chess match. His relationship with Zach Thomas, however, might be the one that made the deepest impact on Jason, both professionally and personally. Their 4-year-old daughter Sienna playfully climbs over the couple as they talk, while 10-year-old Christian and 8-year-old Valentina kick around a soccer ball on the putting-green-quality lawn nearby. Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas plays a pick-up game of soccer in Davie, Florida, Tuesday, January, 21, 2020. Its important, Thomas says as he makes sure Sienna doesnt fall off a table. She is famous for sister of NFL player Zach Thomas. | NFL Draft 2023, Top 5 Quarterback Preview - 2023 NFL Draft | Draft Talk, Top 5 Tight Ends Preview - 2023 NFL Draft | Draft Talk, Top 5 Safety Preview - 2023 NFL Draft | Draft Talk, Top 5 Cornerback Preview - 2023 NFL Draft | Draft Talk, Top 5 Linebacker Preview - 2023 NFL Draft | Draft Talk, Top 5 OT Preview - 2023 NFL Draft | Draft Talk, Top 5 IOL Preview - 2023 NFL Draft | Draft Talk, Free Agency Highlights & Your Draft Questions Answered. Zach Thomas was my nemesis, Mawae said 22:16 into his 27-minute Hall of Fame speech. I havent even thought that far up., The 17th LB in draft?Oops! Hes one of those guys that never got the respect he deserved, never got the attention he deserves. But I definitely dont want to disrespect the game by thinking I deserve any of it. So I enjoyed the visit, but I couldnt pull the trigger. He was a 2016 APSE Top 3 columnist nationwide. But it was all love.. The battles were epic. Thomas, who narrowly missed making the cut in 2020, becomes the 11th man whose career is primarily associated with the Dolphins to make the Hall. The 2021 Miami Dolphins? He and Zach had significant cultural differences because Lozanos first home in the United States was in Queens, New York, and he was a New York Jets fan. Ninety-Nine Yards launched in 2018 and covers all aspects of the American football. Its a blessing that he can do that.. 54 in Miami. While Thomas said he would remain patient through the process, insisting the game didn't owe him anything, his fans voiced louder objections with each passing year, pointing out that many of his statistics surpassed those of linebackers already enshrined. Thats his goal right now and any goal he has he goes all the way. And Im grateful to football. The Bears that year were 11-5. Your support means everything to me.. When I look at back to being an 8-year-old kid starting football, I had big dreams and for it to play out like it has, Im grateful. So theyre telling me, Theyre trying to trade you right now.. With Thomas leading the way with major contributions from Taylor obviously the Dolphins defense finished in the top 10 in fewest yards allowed an And it was something of a mistake because Wade Phillips was running a defense that was totally foreign to him. Hes the man. I feel hes very unselfish because of all the things he could be doing, he chooses to be part of our lives and loves being at the kids sporting events and activities. And two of his most decorated proteges, Bill Belichick in New England and Sean Payton in New Orleans, must have thought that a mistake because they tried to sign Thomas. Katina Thomas So for me, wow, man. The somber thoughts often drifted into Jason Taylor's mind as he friend and brother-in-law Zach Thomas. Zach Thomas But that motivated me even more than usual, the Dolphins trying to get rid of me, thinking I couldnt play in that defense. Well he has 22 interceptions to his name whilst Zach has 17. Teammates marveled at how many hours Thomas would spend each week studying film, searchingfor even the slightest edge over the upcoming opponent. Taylor Bill Parcells took the reins of the team, along with head coach Tony Sparano and general manager Jeff Ireland. But as the rest of the team was floundering, Thomas was flourishing, averaging more than 10 tackles per game and collecting tackles for loss, passes defensed, and quarterback hits. Urlacher was a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee in the class of 2018. An award Zach never received. Were eating and Nick asks me what I think of Kevin, Thomas says. In 182 games Urlacher had 1,046 solo tackles (5.74 per game). I didnt know he was a starter. Miami Dolphins fans can meet Jason Taylor and Zach Couldnt believe it.. That was going to be my title for this piece. But I used it all the time in Washington and I still got lost." Thats a momentous departure from the time Thomas sometimes refers to as crazy or wild a span of 13 NFL seasons he spent as perhaps the most adored Miami Dolphins player of the day. After Saban left, the Dolphins hired Cam Cameron as their next coach. To me, is he a Hall of Famer? And I knew they had all those great leaders on defense. The endless waves rolling in behind their beachfront home are a hypnotizing sound track in the background. Now his former teammate Zach Thomas, who spent 11 seasons with the Dolphins Thomas played only five games in that wasteland of a season. Katina Taylor, Ex-Wife Of Former Dolphins Star Jason And .. But it worked out.. So for me, even in my early years, I knew every one of the 17 linebackers that went ahead of me. It represents all the great teammates I had. Yes, life has changed for Thomas since he stopped playing in 2009. Jason Taylor deserved better. Are Zach and Alex Still Together or Have They Broken I met with Belichick. Whatever Thomas said to Maritza that night neither really remembers and it doesnt matter because she didnt give him her number. I dont know what else they wanted. And even months later when they called to bring him back, Thomas was still not recovered. Zach Thomas Because while Thomas reaped rewards and perhaps soon the biggest individual honor from the game, he poured heart and soul into the sport and made it more interesting and exciting for all of us. This time as one of the games all-time greats. They would go on to have quite similar career numbers (more below) but one was feted much more than the other. I was on the passenger side and I was talking to my brother on the phone and I didnt know if the phone hit me in the head or it was the headrest that felt so hard.. To have played at Texas Tech and then be drafted by the Dolphins was the ultimate. The pressure now is getting Christian to his soccer practice and games on time. God bless, Tua Tagovailoa throws interception. But that simply wasnt possible. And I felt like they mishandled that part. In fact, he hadn't thought of it even after Hall voters gathered for their annual conference to select honorees. The defensive duo combined for 13 Pro Bowl selections during their Seeing his bust in Canton will complete a storybook climb for Thomas, who arrived in South Florida with little fanfare. And after retiring from football, we had Christian, we built this house. The games been too good to me.. Does he belong? shouldnt even be a question, the Miami Dolphins great deserves to be in, of that I am in no doubt. There is only one thing left for the 7 time Pro Bowler, 5 time first team All-Pro, All Decade team member, 2 time NFL alumni linebacker of the year & Miami Dolphins All-Time leader in tackles made get him in the damn Hal of Fame, where he belongs! It was a great visit, Thomas says. 2000s All-decade team member and Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Mawae thinks it too. Dolphins enter 2021 season with hope in a lot of areas. So [Saban] stopped practice and made a scene. Lastly, I want to thank the Dolphins fans. It is also a podcast that features interviews with both current and former NFL stars and you can listen via Spreaker and Apple Podcasts. Thomas playing from 1996-2008 & Urlacher from 2000-2012. Zach Thomas & Jason Taylor have just been inducted into the Dolphins Honor Roll! Zach Thomas Calls Out Dolphins for Disrespecting Obviously I think (know) that Zach Thomas should be in the Hall of Fame. Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor will be there for you to meet. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Thats humbling, Thomas said. Or he was my favorite player. . I want to stay. "It was powerful. At some point they need more, Grading the Miami Dolphins roster and what that might mean for 2021 regular season, Armando Salguero farewell: It was never about me, it was always for you. Zachs accomplishments on the field made him one of the greatest players in NFL history. "You cant take me out.". Together, they formed the heart and soul of the Dolphins defense from 1996-2007. Its all about perception play on a successful team (the Bears were 126-98 & went to a Superbowl during Urlachers career), and you get the recognition. Together, the duo shared a lot of love and an even bigger ego.