The wait is finally over for Miami Dolphins fans.  Zach Thomas is officially a Hall of Famer.  

The former Dolphins linebacker was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday afternoon, along with eight other members of the 2023 class.  

Thomas was the first to speak of all the enshrinees on Saturday afternoon.  Introduced by his former coach Jimmy Johnson, he thanked family, coaches, former teammates, former opponents, and Miami Dolphins fans.  He talked about his path from small-town Texas to getting a chance from Jimmy Johnson to start as a rookie in Miami. 

"This is a dream come true for this small-town country boy to be standing on this stage with all these legends behind me," Thomas said. "My career has come full circle.  From August 5, 1996 being given that one chance, to August 5, 2023 being forever enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

Thomas became particularly emotional when talking about his friend and former Dolphins teammate Junior Seau, who passed away on May 2, 2012.  Seau and Thomas played together from 2003-2005. 

"His poster hung on my wall in college and he was everything I wanted to be as a football player," Thomas said. "He was my inspiration, and he became my teammate and friend.  Though he's not here physically, he's here in spirit and in a bust in that building behind me.  I'm truly honored to join him.  Junior Seau, love you, buddy." 

Thomas was first eligible for Hall of Fame consideration in 2014, after having retired from the Dallas Cowboys following the 2008 season, his lone season outside of Miami. He did not become a semifinalist until 2019 and was named a finalist four times before finally getting the nod this year. 

Thomas was drafted by the Dolphins in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft, where he played for 12 seasons.  Thomas was a smart, instinctive, and aggressive middle linebacker who Peyton Manning said was the player who caused him the most problems in his career.  

Thomas was not just a disciplined, physical tackler – having topped 120 tackles in 10 of his 13 seasons – but was also very sound in coverage.  He pulled down 17 interceptions for 170 yards and 4 return touchdowns in his career, the latter of which is tied for a Dolphins record.  He also totaled 20.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, and 8 fumble recoveries.  He was a first-team All-Pro five times (1998-99, 2002-03, 2006), second team twice (2001, 2005), made seven Pro Bowls (2000-04, 2006-07) and was named to the NFL All-Decade team for the 2000s. 

Now, he is a part of football royalty.  From small-town beginnings to having his bust on display forever.  On Saturday, his former coach summed up his former player's career very well.

"He's the hardest working player I've ever coached with extreme talent," Johnson said. "I don't think anyone ever realized just how good a football player he was."

It took a long decade, but one of the greatest inside linebackers of his generation finally got his due. 

Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports