CLEVELAND (AP) Joe Thomas remains torn about his football future.
He’s still holding.
Cleveland’s star left tackle
Cheap Chris Herndon Jersey , who played more than 10,000 consecutive snaps before suffering a season-ending left triceps injury on Oct. 22, said
Wednesday night that he’s undecided about continuing his Hall of Fame-caliber
career – or retiring.
Article continues below ... ”Making progress,” the 10-time Pro Bowler said. ”Had a lot of time to think and spend some time with the family, but not ready definitively to make a
decision one way or the other just yet. Really for me, my decision is just going
to come down to do I feel like I’m healthy enough to survive another
season?”
One of the NFL’s premier tackles, Thomas was on the field for 10
Seahawks Byron Maxwell Jersey ,363 straight plays before his triceps ripped while blocking on a running play against Tennessee. Thomas planned to take the
offseason to weigh his options, and he remains unsure if he wants to make a
comeback or move on to a new career, perhaps in the TV broadcast booth.
Thomas isn’t leaning in either direction.
”There’s some days you go back and forth,” he said.
Thomas was a presenter at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, which he attended with his wife, Annie. Thomas said he has not received any pressure to
make his decision from the Browns, who are coming off a historic 0-16
season.
”I don’t think there’s any real rush at this point
http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/cassius-marsh-jersey ,” he said. ”Obviously, they want to know before the draft and free agency, so that
if they have to make different plans if I’m not going to be there, they want to
know about it. I told them I’ll make a decision when I’m ready and let them know
and give them as much time as I possibly can.”
Thomas said he won’t be medically cleared to play until summer, but that timeframe has no bearing on his decision.
”It’s seven-to-nine months from surgery, so that would put me in June or July,” he said. ”But I’m not worried about that. The elbow is something that’ll
take care of itself. I feel confident the rehab has gone well and it will
continue to go well. Really for me
Giants Kyle Lauletta Jersey , knee and back are the primary issues that I’ve been dealing with a number of years.”
Thomas came close to quitting before when a back spasm in 2007 lasted four weeks.
”Couldn’t practice. Basically couldn’t tie my own shoes,” he said. ”And I go, `This is my last year. There’s no way I can do this another season.’ And I made
it four more after that. So it’s weird the highs and lows that you go through
during a season, especially because of the emotional and physical toll a game
takes on you.”
The 18th annual sports awards brought out some of Cleveland’s biggest sports movers and shakers, including former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar, Indians
manager Terry Francona and Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman. The event was
hosted by ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi.
Former Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas received a lifetime achievement award at the gala event. The 7-foot-3 Ilgauskas was affectionately known simply
as ”Z” by Cleveland fans who embraced the Lithuania native and made him one of
their own.
Ilgauskas overcame two major foot injuries early in his career and played 13 seasons in the NBA before retiring in 2011 after one year in Miami. The Cavs
retired his No. 11 in 2014.
Ilgauskas recalled that early in his career, owner Gordon Gund had a deal worked out to trade him to Detroit. He turned it down.
”I didn’t stay because of the weather
Vikings Mike Remmers Jersey ,” he told the Cleveland crowd. ”I didn’t stay because of the food, but that’s gotten a lot better since 1996. I stayed because
of you guys. You guys make this city what it is.”
LeBron James said Ilgauskas was one of his favorite teammates.
”We had a heck of a chemistry with our pick and pop,” James said. ”Multi-talented guy but even greater person to be around every day. Came to work
every day, showed up every day and he gave everything he could to this franchise
and the Heat franchise.”
.
