Joe Thomas (linebacker) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Joe Thomas

Thomas with the Green Bay Packers in 2015
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1991-05-06) May 6, 1991 (age 34) Aiken, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	227 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school:	Blackville-Hilda (Blackville, South Carolina)
College:	South Carolina State
Undrafted:	2014
Career history
Green Bay Packers (2014)* Dallas Cowboys (2015)* Green Bay Packers (2015–2017) Dallas Cowboys (2018–2020) Houston Texans (2021) Baltimore Ravens (2021) Chicago Bears (2022)
Career highlights and awards
All-MEAC (2013) MEAC Defensive Player of the Year (2013)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 279 Sacks: 2.5 Forced fumbles: 2 Fumble recoveries: 2 Pass deflections: 12 Interceptions: 1
Player stats at PFR

Joe Lewis Thomas Jr. (born May 6, 1991) is an American football player. He plays as a linebacker, which is a defensive position in football. Joe played college football at South Carolina State University. He later joined the Green Bay Packers in 2014, even though he wasn't chosen in the main draft.

Joe's Early Life and Sports

Joe Thomas Jr. grew up in Blackville, South Carolina. He went to Blackville-Hilda High School. There, he was a talented athlete, playing many sports. He was on the football, basketball, track, and soccer teams.

Football Star in High School

In football, Joe played as a running back. This means he was on the offensive side, carrying the ball. He was so good that he earned "All-state" honors in his last two years. As a senior, he ran for almost 2,000 yards and scored 31 touchdowns! He was even named the Division 1A South Carolina Player of the Year.

Track and Field Talents

Joe also showed his athletic skills in track. He competed in the 4 × 100 metres relay race. He also took part in the shot put, which is a throwing event.

College Football Journey

Joe received a football scholarship to South Carolina State University. He worked hard and became a key player for their team, the South Carolina State Bulldogs.

Freshman Year (2010)

In his first year, Joe was a "redshirt" freshman. This means he practiced with the team but played in fewer games. He played in 11 out of 12 games, mainly on special teams. He made 17 tackles and helped his team with a fumble recovery.

Sophomore Year (2011)

As a sophomore, Joe became a starter. He played in 11 games as an outside linebacker. He was second on the team with 100 tackles. He also led the team with 3 interceptions. He was named the team's defensive MVP. In one game against Central Michigan University, he made 10 tackles and got his first interception.

Junior Year (2012)

In his junior year, Joe started as a middle linebacker. He played in 6 games before an injury ended his season early. Before his injury, he had 39 tackles. He also got a sack and forced a fumble.

Senior Year (2013)

Joe's senior year was amazing. His team's defense was ranked number one in the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision). They won their 15th MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Championship. Joe had 10 tackles and a sack in that championship game. He led his team with 115 tackles that season. He also had 7.5 sacks and one interception. Because of his great play, he was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

College Career Totals

Joe finished his college career having played in 41 games. He made 271 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and 4 interceptions. He was a very important player for his college team.

Joe's Professional Football Career

After college, Joe Thomas Jr. worked hard to make it to the NFL.

First Time with the Green Bay Packers (2014-2015)

The Green Bay Packers signed Joe in 2014. He wasn't picked in the NFL Draft, but the Packers saw his talent. He spent some time on the team's "practice squad." This is a group of players who practice with the main team but don't play in games.

Brief Time with the Dallas Cowboys (2015)

In September 2015, Joe joined the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad for a short time.

Second Time with the Green Bay Packers (2015-2017)

Soon after, the Packers brought Joe back to their main team. He played in 14 games in 2015. He made 24 tackles and had one sack. He also helped out a lot on special teams.

In 2016, Joe played in all 16 games and started 7 of them. He had 77 tackles and even got his first NFL interception! This happened against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. He had 10 tackles in games against the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears.

In 2017, Joe played in 12 games. He missed some games because of an ankle injury. He finished the season with 14 tackles.

Second Time with the Dallas Cowboys (2018-2020)

Joe signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. He was a backup linebacker. He played in 10 games but missed some due to a foot injury. He made 6 tackles and helped on special teams.

In 2019, he played in 15 games. He had 36 tackles and forced a fumble. He also helped on special teams.

In 2020, Joe re-signed with the Cowboys. He stepped in as a starter when another player, Leighton Vander Esch, got injured. Joe started 4 games and had a career-high 12 tackles in one game against the Atlanta Falcons. He finished the season with 43 tackles.

Houston Texans (2021)

In 2021, Joe signed with the Houston Texans. He played in 5 games and made 10 tackles before being released.

Baltimore Ravens (2021)

Later in 2021, Joe joined the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad. He played in 2 games for them.

Chicago Bears (2022)

In 2022, Joe signed with the Chicago Bears. He played in 15 games and started 9 of them as an outside linebacker. He had 61 tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery. He was not re-signed after this season.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Stats

Playoff Stats

Joe's Family Life

Joe Thomas Jr. has a very interesting family story. His father, Joe Thomas Sr., also went to South Carolina State University. In 2016, his dad became the oldest player (at 55 years old) to play in an NCAA Division I college football game! He carried the ball for three yards. Even though they went to the same college, Joe Jr. and Joe Sr. never played on the same team. This is because Joe Sr. had injuries from a car accident and couldn't play during Joe Jr.'s time at the university.