Joe Thomas: Not Your Average Joe: The Authorized Biography ― from Wisconsin to Cleveland to the Hall of Fame

by Marc Bona, Dan Murphy, Alex Mack (Foreword)

Authorized biography of the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee! Meet Joe Thomas―one of the NFL’s most reliable offensive linemen ever―in this up-close portrait drawn from interviews with family, friends, coaches, teammates, and Joe himself. His story goes beyond lining up for a record-setting 10,363 consecutive snaps for the Cleveland Browns . . . As a youth, the fast-growing three-sport star valued friendship and preparation in everything he did. A bit of a goofball off the field, Joe had an uncanny ability to turn on a competitive switch on the gridiron. In college, he endured a tragedy and overcame a serious injury to become a big-time football star for Wisconsin in the fiercely competitive Big Ten (and a top shot putter, too). On NFL Draft Day in 2007, Joe endeared himself to fans when, despite being forecast as a top pick, he skipped the glitzy ceremony to go fishing with family and friends instead. With the Browns, he made the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 seasons and excelled even while playing for teams that struggled. (He protected 20 starting quarterbacks―another league record.) He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023. This is the story of an extraordinary guy and an exceptional career.

240 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2023

Reviews

[Dr NSCA-CPT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about a great football player who is also a great man.

[Timothy S. Henson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep in mind, as a die hard Steelers fan, I chose to read this book. As a football fan, I read this book because of the respect I have for Joe Thomas. He may have played for the rival Browns, but he revolutionized the way an offensive lineman should play the game, and he did so over a Hall of Fame career.

[Taylor Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extreme bias here. I love Joe Thomas and everything he stood for as a Cleveland Brown. The perfect man for Cleveland. Go to work and do your job everyday. A winner despite being on a load of losing teams.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an amazing book to read about his journey and brought back a lot of childhood memories for myself as well. Strongly recommend reading it!!!