WESTGATE — Zach Thomas did plenty of hammering during his Hall of Fame career as an undersized Miami Dolphins linebacker. Receivers. Running backs. Quarterbacks. Offensive linemen … anyone who would get in his way.
On Wednesday, Thomas was holding a hammer, and this time it was to create joy, not inflict pain. Thomas was at a charity event at Seminole Ridge High School where students from the Weitz Construction Academy were making an 11th home with Habitat for Humanity for a deserving family.
Thomas was on a scaffold, hammering away alongside students because he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year and will play in next year’s inaugural James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational at Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton. Habitat for Humanity is one of the three cornerstone charities for the PGA Tour Champions event along with First Tee and Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
“It’s impressive to see what these kids are doing to make a difference in their community,” Thomas said. “When I was in high school, I don’t remember thinking about anything but myself.”
Dolphins Hall of Fame linebacker Zach Thomas talks to students at Seminole Ridge High School during the Habitat for Humanity event on Wednesday.
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Thomas, 51, who looks like he could still play, had plenty of words of encouragement for the students. They would have been wise to listen to the Dolphins’ defensive captain who got the most out of his 5-foot-11, 242-pound body. He wasn’t drafted until the fifth round in 1996, but was named to seven Pro Bowls and selected to the NFL 2000s All-Decade team.
“Success isn’t about how much money you have, how much fame you have, the gold (Hall of Fame) jacket,” Thomas said. “Success is getting the best out of yourself, finding a passion and making a difference in other people’s lives. Everybody deserves a home.”
Seminole Ridge High principal Bob Hatcher may have had the day’s best line: “This is the greatest thing we will ever do for our community. To be able to help those who need help the most is an amazing feeling.”
That feeling was shared Wednesday by Ke’yha Ramsay, a mother of two young children. She was told two months ago she would be receiving a 1,395-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch home sponsored by Hardie; Wednesday she learned the one Thomas (and pro golfer Brett Quigley of Jupiter) were working on is actually hers.
Ramsay became speechless, tears streaming down her face as she was given the good news by Sean Gadd, president of James Hardie North America, a leader in home-building products.
“This is incredible, not just for my main family, but so other members of my family will have a place to stay,” said Ramsay. The house will be delivered to her during the tournament week of the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational (Match 31-April 6).
Said Gadd: “Today is an incredible example of the positive and meaningful impact we plan to make in South Florida communities around this new tournament in service of our purpose, Building a Better Future for All.”
The unique golf tournament combines the talents of the greatest golfers 50 and over with their younger counterparts who earned the NFL’s highest individual honor. Their two-man scores during the first two rounds will make up a separate tournament while the Champions Tour players hold their usual 54-hole event that will be televised by Golf Channel.
When Thomas was asked who he’d like to be his partner, he didn’t hesitate. “Tiger Woods!” he said. “Yeah, I’ll probably have to wait a while for that one.” (Woods turns 50 next December). Then I’ll play with Brett.”
Tournament officials hope Thomas isn’t the only Dolphin Hall of Famer to play at Broken Sound next April. Dan Marino and Jason Taylor also are in the HOF. Thomas knows he won’t be asked to play in a foursome with Marino, though.
“Marino won’t play with me because he says I’m so bad I contaminate his game,” Thomas said, smiling. “It’s all in his head. He just won’t take the blame.”
Quigley, the nephew of former Champions Tour ironman Dana Quigley, said he’s excited about the new Champions Tour event in Boca because of the involvement with the popular NFL.
“It’s huge for our area and for the golf tournament,” Quigley said. “All these guys are so strong and athletic. I can’t wait to see their different swings and (swing) speed.”
Like most Dolphins fans, Thomas said it’s been difficult watching the team struggle to a 3-6 season with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s health an overriding concern.
“It’s been tough because you know they have the talent,” Thomas said. “To lose Tua for that amount of time really hurt because he’s a winner. The other night, he’s trying to make a tackle (after an interception). He should have done what (Chicago receiver) D.J. Moore did and just run off the field. Hopefully, they can hit a run, and he can have a second chance.”
The James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational is looking for volunteers. For information, go to JamesHardieInvitational.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins Hall of Famer Zach Thomas helps Seminole Ridge HS students build home
