Texas Tech University Athletics
Zach Thomas Headed To The Hall Of Fame
January 09, 2015 | Football
Jan. 9, 2015
Texas Tech All-American Zach Thomas, a dominating linebacker for the Red Raiders from 1992-95, will be one of 15 players inducted into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame in December. The announcement was made at a news conference this morning in Dallas as part of the festivities surrounding the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Thomas, a native of Pampa, becomes the fifth Red Raider to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Gabe Rivera (2012), Dave Parks (2008), Donny Anderson (1989) and E.J. Holub (1986).
"Congratulations to Zach Thomas and this most deserved recognition," Texas Tech President Dr. Duane Nellis said. "Inclusion in the College Football Hall of Fame is a prestigious honor and Texas Tech has had the privilege over the years to have former student-athletes recognized for their contributions. Texas Tech University is proud of each Red Raider enshrined in the Hall and appreciate their representation of our great university."
The 2015 Hall of Fame Class consists of coaches; Bill Snyder (Kansas State), Jim Tressel (Youngstown State/Ohio State) and players; Trev Alberts (Nebraska), Brian Bosworth (Oklahoma), Bob Bruenig (Arizona State), Sean Brewer (Millsaps), Ruben Brown (Pittsburgh), Wes Chandler (Florida), Thom Gatewood (Notre Dame), Dick Jauron (Yale), Clinton Jones (Michigan State), Lincoln Kennedy (Washington), Rob Lytle (Michigan), Michael Payton (Marshall), Art Still (Kentucky), Zach Thomas (Texas Tech) and Ricky Williams (Texas).
"Zach Thomas is one of the great Texas Tech football players of all time," Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said. "His spirit, determination and work ethic were an inspiration to his teammates and coaches and 20 years later we continue to admire and celebrate all that he was able to accomplish. This is a tremendous honor for Zach, his family and for Texas Tech and we are grateful that he will forever be acknowledged as one the game's elite players."
-- Kirby Hocutt
Thomas' game-winning interception return for touchdown in the 1995 game against arch-rival Texas A&M ranks as one of the most celebrated single plays in school history. The play continues to garner thunderous reaction when played for the fans at home games in Jones AT&T Stadium and helped cement his legacy as one of the best players to ever wear a Texas Tech uniform.
"It's a huge honor for both Zach and our program for him to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame," Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury said. "He was such an incredible player not only in college but also in the NFL. Zach is one of the greatest linebackers in the history of the game."
Overlooked by most Division I schools due to his size, former Texas Tech Head Coach Spike Dykes saw something in Thomas that other didn't. His gamble paid off as Thomas went on to become a unanimous first-team All-American and enjoyed a 13-year career in the National Football League.
During his career, he led the Red Raiders to three bowl games (1993 John Hancock; 1994 Cotton; 1995 Copper) and a Southwest Conference Championship in 1994. He was named the consensus Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the year in both 1994 and 1995 and was a finalist for the Butkus Award in 1995.
Thomas currently ranks fifth all-time with 390 career tackles, including 131 during his senior season. He also totaled six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, seven pass breakups and two interceptions.
He was drafted in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins and went on to become a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, which ranks as the third most appearances in franchise history.
The official induction ceremony will take place at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 8 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, the NFF Leadership Hall of Fame, the NFF Scholar-Athlete Awards presented by Fidelity Investments, the NFF High School Showcases, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, the NFF Faculty Salute Initiative presented by Fidelity Investments, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Alumni Association, and scholarships of more than $1.3 million for college and high school scholar-athletes. The NFF also collaborates with the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) to release the FWAA-NFF Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll; awards The William V. Campbell Trophy presented by Fidelity Investments and prominently displayed at its official home inside the New York Athletic Club; and bestows several other major awards at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner. NFF corporate partners include the Allstate Sugar Bowl, Fidelity Investments, Herff Jones, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Sports Business Journal and Under Armour. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org.
Texas Tech LB Zach Thomas officially a CFB Hall of Famer
-- Joe Schad (@schadjoe) January 9, 2015
Congrats @TechAthletics LB Zach Thomas elected to @cfbhall Class of 2015! #CFBHOF Watch at http://t.co/GOtGCM9UrE pic.twitter.com/zb5MNpJJg6
-- Football Foundation (@NFFNetwork) January 9, 2015
Texas Tech's Zach Thomas, Texas' Ricky Williams, OU's Brian Bosworth make College HOF class http://t.co/wSM3StVhff pic.twitter.com/bt5maWlzj6
-- Dallas Morning News (@dallasnews) January 9, 2015
Ricky Williams, Zach Thomas among 17 chosen for CFB Hall of Fame. --> http://t.co/SoDMmODxLp pic.twitter.com/TffBDC7ycL
-- CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) January 9, 2015
