CLEVELAND — Marc Gatzullis has been a Joe Thomas fan since he was drafted by the team, but he just got a Joe Thomas jersey. 

“They have not been available for a few years," Gatzullis said. "That will be my go-to jersey right there. I will wear that forever.”

He has other joe Thomas memorabilia to compliment the jersey. He said the legendary left tackle is a role model. Thomas played in 10,363 consecutive snaps and made ten straight pro bowls, making him the first lineman to ever reach those marks.

Through all the quarterbacks and coaches over the years, number 73 was always there to protect the blind side.

“It didn’t matter what happened,” Gatzullis said. “It didn’t matter if they sold the team or whatever. He’s gone through all that. He’s brown and orange for life.”

Which is one reason Joe Thomas got “the knock” in his first year of eligibility.

“Well deserved,” Gatzullis said. “I wish he didn’t have to wait the five years to get in because he should have gotten in the day he stopped playing.”

Now as Gatzullis watches Brown’s games on his back porch, he will wear his number 73 jersey. He said there’s a hidden message about Thomas being the first Brown of the modern era to get the call from the hall.

“Browns are back,” Gatzullis said. “They’re back. We’re gonna start winning, and look out, Steelers.”