Zach Thomas Zachary Michael Thomas ( born September 1 , 1973 ) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League ( NFL ) for thirteen seasons . He played college football for Texas Tech University , and was recognized as a Unanimous All - American . He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft , and played for the Dolphins his first twelve seasons in the NFL . He was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times and recorded over 1 , 700 tackles . Early years . Thomas was born in Pampa , Texas . He attended White Deer Schools in White Deer , Texas until he was a sophomore then transferred to Pampa High School in his junior year . He was a standout high school football player and was named a first - team all - state selection as a senior . Thomas and his older brother , Bart , were high school teammates at White Deer High School in White Deer , Texas ; in 1988 , Thomas ' freshman year , the White Deer team went 16 – 0 and won the Class 1A state championship . College career . Thomas attended Texas Tech University , where he was a three - year starter at linebacker for the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team . As a junior in 1994 , he was a first - team All - American . As a senior in 1995 , he was a Unanimous 1st Team All - American , the Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year , and a finalist for the Butkus Award . Thomas is one of 5 Red Raiders to be named a Unanimous All - American along with Mark Bounds , Byron Hanspard , Michael Crabtree , and Jace Amaro . He recorded 390 tackles , including a career - high 131 tackles and a school - record 20 tackles against Missouri in his senior season . During the 1995 game against Texas A & M , Thomas returned an interception to gain a 14 – 7 win for Tech . Thomas and his brother Bart were the only pair of brothers to be named first - team All - Southwest Conference selections in the same year . Professional career . Miami Dolphins . Thomas was drafted in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft . On July 3 , 1996 , Thomas agreed to a three - year $ 577 , 000 deal with Miami . On February 13 , 1999 , Thomas signed a five - year , $ 22 . 5 million contract ( including a $ 4 . 5 million signing bonus ) to remain with the Dolphins . Thomas ' $ 6 . 5 million in salary and bonus made him the Dolphins highest paid player , surpassing Dan Marino . In 1999 Thomas had 133 tackles and was All - Pro for the second straight season . The following year he had 99 tackles due to missing 5 games . In 2001 he had 155 tackles , 3 sacks , 2 interceptions 2 forced fumbles and defensed four passes and was a First - team All - Pro for the third time . His numbers were similar in 2002 as he made All - Pro for the fourth time in five seasons . Thomas signed a five - year , $ 33 . 75 million contract extension with the Miami Dolphins on March 27 , 2003 , that includes a $ 10 . 5 million signing bonus and was to extend through the 2008 season . Thomas was entering the last year of the five - year , $ 22 . 5 million contract he signed prior to the 1999 season . Thomas responded with 153 tackles and 3 interceptions and his fifth All - Pro selection in six years . Thomas led the Dolphins in tackles with 165 in 2005 after missing two games with ankle and shoulder injuries ; he is also one of three players to record one hundred or more tackles in each of his first ten seasons in the NFL . Thomas was selected to his seventh Pro Bowl appearance in 2006 , tied for the third most Pro Bowl appearances in club history ; this is also the most of such selections among all defensive players in Dolphins history . He has also been selected First - and Second - Team All - Pro seven times . Zach Thomas has more tackles than any linebacker in the Pro Football Hall of Fame , currently ranking sixth all - time behind Ray Lewis , Randy Gradishar , London Fletcher , Jessie Tuggle and Junior Seau . Thomas ' tenure with the Dolphins ended on February 14 , 2008 , when it was announced by the team that he no longer fit into their long term plans and his contract was terminated . Dallas Cowboys . On February 23 , 2008 after contract offers from the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots , Thomas decided to sign in principle with the Dallas Cowboys to a one - year , $ 3 million contract . The deal included a $ 1 million base salary , a $ 1 million signing bonus and a $ 1 million incentive - based bonus based on playing time that agent Drew Rosenhaus said should be easily attained . Kansas City Chiefs . An unrestricted free agent in the 2009 offseason , Thomas agreed to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs on April 11 , 2009 . The one - year contract was worth $ 2 million . He was released at the end of the preseason after not playing in any exhibition games . Retirement . On May 18 , 2010 Thomas signed a one - day ceremonial contract , officially worth $ 1 , in order to retire as a member of the Miami Dolphins . Awards and honors . In addition to being a seven - time All - Pro selection by the " Associated Press " and a seven - time Pro Bowl selection , Thomas earned the following awards and honors in his NFL career : Personal . Thomas ' sister Katina is married to Jason Taylor , Thomas ' former teammate in Miami . Thomas ' father is the builder and proprietor of the second largest cross in the Western Hemisphere , located in Groom , Texas . Thomas is married to Maritza Thomas . Thomas has one son , Christian Zachary , and one daughter , Valentina .