Joe Thuney receives prestigious college honor Bears fans will be pumped he got

Everywhere Chicago Bears starting left guard Joe Thuney goes, good things usually follow. 

Since entering the NFL as a third-round pick out of NC State in 2016, Thuney has won four Super Bowls—two with the New England Patriots and two with the Kansas City Chiefs. 

In his first season with the Chicago Bears in 2025, Thueny was named a Pro Bowler, a first-team All-Pro, and won the first-ever NFL Protector of the Year award. He continues to play at a high level regardless of the team, situation, or circumstances. 

Joe Thuney adds another accolade to the long resume

Thuney just earned his latest accolade. Thuney will be inducted into NC State Football’s Ring of Honor, Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan and head coach Dave Doeren announced in a press release.

NC State also posted on its Instagram page, and Thuney shared the post in his Instagram story, saying, “Such an honor - so unbelievably proud and humbled to represent North Carolina State.”

During Thuney’s senior season at NC State in 2015, he became the first Wolfpack offensive lineman in almost four decades to earn All-America honors, according to a press release from NC State. Thuney played every single snap and didn’t allow a sack while playing left tackle for the Wolfpack. 

"Joe was the true definition of a team player during his time at NC State," said Doeren. "He was willing to start wherever he was needed and he excelled at each position. He established a standard on the Wolfpack offensive line that players for the last decade have worked to live up to, which is one reason we've had two offensive linemen drafted in the first-round since then and have six on NFL rosters today. He worked just as hard in the classroom as he did on the field and truly deserves to have his name enshrined among other NC State stars."

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Thuney has established himself as one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL, and when his professional career is all said and done, he will get to add a gold jacket to go along with his collegiate achievement.