Zach Thomas Biography

Zachary Michael Thomas, born on September 1, 1973, played 13 seasons in the NFL as a linebacker, earning the nickname Baby Elephant. He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. In his rookie year of 1996, Thomas was named Dolphins Team Newcomer of the Year and won his first of two Dolphins Team MVP awards, which he also earned in 2001. Thomas was the first Dolphins player to win the Dolphins Team Leadership Award three times, receiving it in 1998, 1999, and 2005. He ranks second in Dolphins history for most games played by a defensive player with 168, behind Jason Taylor's 204. In 2006, Thomas was inducted into the Texas Tech Athletics Hall of Fame, and he was later honored with the Texas Tech Red Raiders Ring of Honor in 2016. He was enshrined in the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll in 2012, and on February 9, 2023, in his 10th year of eligibility, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023.