Dolphins Legend Zach Thomas Enshrined in Hall of Fame: Watch Highlights

Miami Dolphins fans celebrate as Zach Thomas is officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Miami Dolphins fans were ecstatic on Saturday as their beloved middle linebacker, Zach Thomas, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The event took place at Tom Benson Stadium, near the Hall of Fame Museum, and drew hundreds of fans donning the team's iconic aqua and orange colors.

The festivities began with Hall of Fame host Chris Berman providing an impressive biography of Zach Thomas. Berman highlighted Thomas' remarkable ten-year tenure as the Dolphins' tackles leader and mentioned the immense respect that fellow Hall of Famer Peyton Manning held for him. Berman even shared a humorous anecdote suggesting that Manning believed Thomas had stolen the Colts' playbook before their matchup.

Jimmy Johnson, Thomas' former coach and introducer, described him as the most prepared player he had ever coached. Johnson went on to say that, out of the 17 Hall of Famers he had coached, none had worked harder than Thomas.

When it was Thomas' turn to speak, his ten-minute speech captivated the audience with its blend of inspiration, emotion, humor, and unforgettable moments. He expressed gratitude to all the coaches he had encountered throughout his football career, including special teams expert Mike Westhoff. Thomas also thanked his teammates, the Dolphins fans, and even shared heartfelt stories that evoked a range of emotions among his supporters.

Among the teammates Thomas acknowledged were Trace Armstrong, whom he credited with providing valuable life lessons beyond football, as well as Jason Taylor, Tim Bowens, Sam Madison, Patrick Surtain, Dwight Hollier, Derek Rogers, Channing Crowder, and Morlon Greenwood, among others. He also expressed his appreciation for the legendary Dan Marino and his close friend and fellow rookie from 1996, Larry Izzo, jokingly requesting that Izzo not wear any of his three Super Bowl rings to their Saturday night celebration.

One of the most emotional moments came when Thomas paid tribute to his hero, the late Junior Seau, who was not only his teammate in Miami but also a fellow Hall of Famer. Seau, considered one of the greatest players in the history of the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, served as a role model for Thomas.

Thomas also expressed his gratitude to his family, sharing amusing stories about his father and their backyard races, as well as praising his brother, Bart, as another hero in his life.

The atmosphere at the Pro Football Hall of Fame was electric, as Dolphins fans in attendance could feel the raw emotion emanating from Zach Thomas as he delivered his epic speech. There were moments of laughter and moments that brought even the toughest football players to tears. Thomas concluded his speech in a manner that left the audience in awe, solidifying his status as an epic player who now joins the ranks of football's immortals in the hallowed halls of the Hall of Fame.

In other Dolphins news, the team recently worked out former Eagles defensive lineman Marvin Wilson. Additionally, fans can enjoy a breakdown of some of Zach Thomas' best plays in a video. With only 36 days remaining until the Dolphins' season opener, anticipation continues to build, and fans eagerly await the return of football.

Share With Others