The inevitable became a reality on Wednesday afternoon.
Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas is retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons.
For a team that is still digging its way out of a 1-31 hole dug over the past two seasons, the news is tough to take, even if everyone knew the day was coming.
Thomas announced the news with a nod to the fans on the team’s website:
“From the moment I was drafted, the city embraced me in a way that I could never fully describe. I am proud to call Cleveland home.