Death. Taxes. Zach Thomas being spurned by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. These are the certainties in life — and they have reportedly materialized once more for the former Miami Dolphin. After the Pro Football Hall of Fame Committee met this morning to vote on the Class of 2020, news began trickling out over the past hour on who had been inducted into the Hall this year.
First it was former Denver Broncos safety Steve Atwater. Then it was former Colts running back Edge James. Greatest Show on Turf contributor Isaac Bruce was next, followed shortly afterwards by Pittsburgh Steeler great Troy Polamalu.
That left just one vacant spot for Thomas and several other (well deserving) candidates. And now the news has broke that long-time offensive guard Steven Hutchinson — not Thomas — will claim the final spot in this year’s class.
This marks yet another season of frustration for Thomas, given that his resume measures up favorably to other modern era linebackers to get the call to Canton. Yet, in his first season as a finalist, Thomas came up painstakingly short of being inducted into the Hall of Fame in the same season as Super Bowl 54. Which, being played in Miami, felt like an incredibly poetic way for Thomas to get the call.
It wasn’t meant to be. And so now Thomas must wait another year. With long-time stars like Peyton Manning, Calvin Johnson and Charles Woodson eligible for the first time in 2021, Thomas’ margin for error will be more slim than what he seemed to have this year. Fingers crossed Thomas was near the top of the list and will be able to finally break through in next year’s vote.
