He flattened and paved enemy defenses to open holes for Wisconsin running backs and protected UW’s passers, perhaps as well as anyone who has ever worn the cardinal and white of the Badgers.
Now, offensive lineman Joe Thomas is receiving the ultimate career award for a college football player – election to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Thomas, a native of Brookfield who finished his UW career in 2006, makes the 2019 Hall of Fame Class. He becomes the fourth player in UW history to make the college Hall of Fame.
“I was kind of blown away,” he told UWBadgers.com.
“There are so many greats over so much time. Being that you only have four years in college to make your mark, you really don’t know how you stack up against those other great players…so, for me, it’s incredibly humbling and a very wonderful surprise to be inducted this quickly. I’m feeling blessed and the family is super excited.”
Thomas won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best lineman in 2006, and was named a unanimous All-American that same year.