The Pro Football Hall of Fame has special plans to commemorate the NFL’s centennial in 2020 — they’ve announced that the Hall could add as many as 20 new names next year. The boosted class will be one time only, meant to honor the rich 100-year history of the NFL.
But one former Miami Dolphin won’t get any added odds to finally make the Pro Football Hall of Fame with this decision. Linebacker Zach Thomas must continue to sit on the side and watch class after class — despite having a resume deserving of a place in Canton, Ohio.
What stands in the way of Thomas and a place in the 20-member class of 2020? The Hall of Fame has put restrictions on how many players can be inducted from each era. The Hall plans to open its doors to 10 senior-era players, five modern-era players, three contributors and two coaches. Modern-era players are those whose careers ended within the last 25 years.
Thomas’ final season was in 2008 — meaning he isn’t even halfway to being considered a senior-era player. And with Steelers safety Troy Polamalu a lock to get in, there are only four spots left for modern-era players. Thomas will have to fend off competition from former 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (five All-Pro honors in eight career seasons), six-time finalist John Lynch, three-time finalist Isaac Bruce and four-time finalist Alan Faneca, among others. Thomas has never been named a finalist; he was a semifinalist for the first time this year.
So while the Hall of Fame deserves credit for opening their doors to a larger class in 2020, it seems yet again that justice is not going to be served for Thomas.
