Cornerstone of the Cleveland Community Will Speak at the Greater Akron-Canton High School Sports Awards
The city of Cleveland and its people, molded by its industrial roots and welded together by the fabric of diversity with a hardworking, blue-collar work ethic, exemplify grit that makes them resilient to the harshest winters or most painful sports losses. It’s one of the country’s most unique cities, filled with unwavering loyalty and pride. No one has exemplified these characteristics better than Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame offensive tackle Joe Thomas.
Renowned for his resolve and consistency at a high level, Thomas enjoyed an 11-year career in Cleveland, earning ten consecutive Pro Bowl selections and First-Team All-Pro honors half a dozen times. He was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 2023 and an NFL 2010s All-Decade Team member.
It was obvious to invite the local legend as the keynote speaker for the 2024-2025 Greater Akron-Canton High School Sports Awards, honoring the area’s top-performing athletes, coaches, and teams. The program is presented by Meijer, and will be held on June 17 at the John S. Knight Center in Akron.
“I’m excited to be the speaker at the Greater Akron-Canton High School Sports Awards event. I am so honored to celebrate with these outstanding young women and men and to recognize all that they have accomplished,” remarked the Hall of Famer. “This program does a fantastic job highlighting high school athletics and I just can’t wait to get a chance to interact with all these unbelievable athletes. It’s going to be one heck of a night.”
Photo by Andrew Hetherington
Joe Thomas is now retired, leaving the gridiron behind as one of the most decorated linemen in league history. Hailing from Brookfield, Wisconsin, Thomas played college ball for the Wisconsin Badgers, where he was an All-American and won the Outland Trophy, awarded to the college game’s top lineman. He was selected third overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2007 NFL Draft.
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Thomas was a beacon of durability, playing 10,363 consecutive snaps, an NFL record, until a torn triceps in 2017 ended his career. Despite never making a playoff game with the Browns, his impact on the City of Cleveland and the surrounding areas goes beyond the wins and losses column, bolstered by his incredible leadership and enduring work ethic.
Now, a new generation of athletes will have the opportunity to hear his inspiring message and hopefully go on to create their storied legacies. Tickets are still available for the event here.
Unlock your event’s potential by bringing in Joe Thomas as your keynote speaker! Don’t miss the opportunity to inspire your audience—Contact Athlete Speakers today for more information, or fill out our Online Booking Request Form. Let us leverage our 25 years of industry-leading experience to secure the perfect sports talent for your next event.
