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Joe Thomas takes out 'Thank you, Cleveland' ad in Cleveland Plain Dealer

The 10-time Pro Bowl left tackle announced his retirement from the Cleveland Browns earlier this week.

CLEVELAND -- Two days after announcing his retirement from football and the Cleveland Browns, Joe Thomas said goodbye once again.

Taking out a full-page ad in The Cleveland Plain-Dealer on Friday, Thomas thanked the city of Cleveland, media members, the Browns organization, his teammates, coaches, parents, family and friends.

In the ad titled "THANK YOU CLEVELAND" found on A3 of the Friday Plain-Dealer, Thomas wrote:

My decision to retire was a difficult one, but I want you to know that today is a day of celebration.Today is a day for celebrating the eleven years I spent as a Cleveland Brown, for celebrating the eleven years of work and support from the entire Browns organization, and for celebrating the eleven years of memories that I'll forever share with the fans of Cleveland.

Thomas went on to thank Browns regimes of past and present, including the one that drafted him: owner Randy Lerner, general manager Phil Savage and head coach Romeo Crennel. He also thanked current Browns head coach Hue Jackson and general manager John Dorsey, stating to the latter, "I know you will build the Browns back to prominence, and I can't wait to watch your success in Cleveland unfold."

In his final graph, Thomas thanked his wife, Annie and three children, Jack, Logan and Camryn. In an ad that was decorated with brown and orange trim, the future Hall of Fame left tackle signed off in the most fitting way possible:

"Thank you, and go Browns!"

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