Former Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas passes away at 33
Dec 9, 2021, 9:25 PM | Updated: 10:06 pm
Broncos Country was greeted with terrible news on Thursday night. According to reports, former Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has passed away. DT was just 33 years old.
I just emailed Demaryius Thomas position coach while he was at West Laurens High School – Jeff Clayton.
He tells me that the rumors are true. The former Georgia Tech and Broncos receiver has passed away at the age of 33. pic.twitter.com/WnmVfm1ln2
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) December 10, 2021
No official cause of death has been released. But the authorities do not suspect foul play.
Ex-NFL star Demaryius Thomas has died at the age of 33. Police tell us they found DT deceased in his Roswell, GA home tonight. Early indications are it was a medical issue. No foul play suspected. Rest in peace.
— michael j. babcock (@mikejbabcock) December 10, 2021
Thomas was a first-round pick of the Broncos, No. 22 overall, in the 2010 NFL Draft. He went on to play eight-plus seasons in Denver, becoming one of the best receivers in franchise history.
During his time in orange and blue, Thomas amassed 665 receptions for 9,055 yards and 60 touchdowns. That’s the third-most receptions, second-most receiving yards and second-most receiving touchdowns in the history of the franchise.
DT was also a part of many historic moments. In the 2012 playoffs, Thomas was on the receiving end of one of the most-iconic plays in NFL history, an 80-yard, walk-off touchdown on the first play of overtime to beat the Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Game.
On this date 8 years ago:
Tim Tebow threw an 80-yard TD pass to Demaryius Thomas in the AFC wildcard game to shock the Steelers in overtime. pic.twitter.com/tJqwGiDjnH
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 8, 2020
A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Thomas recorded five-straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2012-16. Four of those years were with Peyton Manning at the helm, when DT was a part of some of the most-prolific offenses in NFL history.
In 2013, Manning set the single-season record for passing yards and touchdowns. In that campaign, Thomas hauled in 92 passes for 1,430 yards and 14 touchdowns.
That team went on to play in the Super Bowl, where they lost 43-8 to the Seahawks. In that game, however, Thomas shined, catching 13 passes for 118 yards and the Broncos only score.
The following season, Thomas was once again a part of history. This time, he hauled in Manning’s 509th career touchdown pass, setting the NFL record for career touchdown passes at the time.
Peyton Manning takes page from Wilt's book- photo with Demaryius Thomas of record 509 TD ball before Canton-bound pic.twitter.com/hyeBDF5ZWO
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 21, 2014
But Thomas wasn’t done there. The next season included even more special moments.
In 2015, DT was part of another Super Bowl team. He caught 105 passes for 1,304 yards and six touchdowns to help the Broncos reach their eighth championship game. This time around, they were victorious, beating the Panthers 24-10 to with the franchise third Lombardi Trophy.
That was the pinnacle of the wide receiver’s time in Denver. It was the high point of his illustrious career.
Midway through the 2018 season, Thomas was traded to the Texans. He played seven games in Houston before signing as a free agent with the Jets in 2019. That was his final season in the NFL.
Thomas officially retired in June 2021. He’s a shoo-in for the Broncos Ring of Fame when he becomes eligible.
At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, he was a tough match-up for cornerbacks. With 4.38 speed in the 40-yard dash, he was nearly impossible to cover.
It all added up to a special player. It helped him become one of the best Broncos in the history of the franchise.
Just two weeks short of his 34th birthday, a Denver sport legend has been lost way too soon. Demaryius Thomas has passed away at the age of 33.
