How a simple donut order keeps Demaryius Thomas’ spirit alive in Denver

Courtland Sutton was tasked with running a simple errand back on what seemed like any other Saturday in 2018. All he had to do was call a local donut shop, place a specific order, go pick it up and bring it back to the Broncos team facility. The man who told him to run the errand was Demaryius Thomas, one of the greatest and most impactful players in franchise history.

Seven years later, that tradition carries more weight than anyone would’ve ever thought.

“When he left, I said that I would keep it going,” Sutton said at Broncos practice Wednesday. “It was something that I saw brought a lot of joy to people in the building. It was like a small tribute to him. Then when he passed, it felt like it was one of those things that—every Saturday I get the chance to call in and order donuts, it’s a small wink. [It’s like] he’s always still around… It’s one of those things that for myself, and for the people who got to spend time with him and got to know where the donuts came from, it’s a reminder that he gets to still be here.”

Sutton said it started off like any other rookie duty that veterans task the young bucks with, but he quickly realized that it was so much more than that once Thomas was traded to Houston, and even more so when he passed away in 2021. That tradition will not be leaving the locker room anytime soon, and is a way for all of the players to appreciate Thomas’ legacy every single Saturday.

Thomas was the ultimate Denver Bronco. He was one of the best players on the field for the orange and blue during his nine seasons here, and was one of the best human beings off the field as well. The news of his passing in 2021 left a hole in Broncos Country, as the fanbase and the city of Denver had lost a man who did so much for the organization and the city during his time here.

“I know this guy loved Denver, he loved Broncos Country and he loved being able to call this place home for the eight seasons he was able to be here,” Sutton said.

DEMARYIUS THOMAS SHAPED SUTTON INTO THE LEADER HE IS TODAY

For Sutton, Thomas was much more than just a teammate. He was a mentor and a person who showed him how to handle himself as a professional football player. Sutton has always spoken on how much Thomas meant to him, he was the 11th player that wasn’t on the field back in 2021 when the team took a delay of game to honor Thomas, and he talked more about No. 88 after Broncos practice on Wednesday.

“I have been waiting for this day of him getting his recognition from this organization because of all the things he has done for the Broncos organization. I know this guy loved Denver, he loved Broncos Country and he loved being able to call this place home for the eight seasons he was able to be here. The small amount of time I was able to spend with him was some of the most impactful time that I have had being a Denver Bronco.”

Today, Sutton is clearly one of the best leaders on this Broncos squad that’s looking to bring a Super Bowl back to Denver like Thomas’ did. If he didn’t have half a season with the veteran, Sutton isn’t sure that he would be the same leader he is today.

“I know if I didn’t have the guidance of him and [former Broncos WR] Emmanuel [Sanders] in the room for me as a young rookie, I don’t think I’m able to build the character and build the player that I became without the guidance,” Sutton said.

Sutton and Thomas shared the field for just eight games in 2018 before Thomas was traded to the Texans in the middle of the season. They both scored a touchdown in a Week 5 loss against the Jets. Even though their time together as teammates was short-lived, it was so impactful for Sutton’s growth.

SUNDAY’S FOCUS WILL BE ON THOMAS, BUT ALL OF THE SB50 TEAM WILL BE HONORED

The Broncos will be honoring Thomas’ legacy on Sunday by officially enshrining him into the Ring of Fame while also honoring the Super Bowl 50 team. This moment has been a long time coming, and it should be a day filled with emotion and appreciation at Empower Field at Mile High. Sutton spoke on the impact that the guys on that team have had on him on top of Thomas.

“Being able to be one of those guys—myself and [left tackle Garett] Bolles being two of the only guys that actually got to share the locker room with a lot of those guys that were still on the team. I have so much respect for them. Being somebody that this is my eighth year in the league and understanding how hard it is to win in this league, understand how hard it is to make it to a Super Bowl and not just make it to the Super Bowl, but to win a Super Bowl,” Sutton said.

Demaryius Thomas is a name that Broncos fans should never forget. The impact he had on his teammates, his coaches, his fans, and people in Denver was second-to-none. He was a phenomenal player, and an even better human being off the field. His legacy is carried on in the locker room every single week with this donut order, and he will be immortalized in Broncos history forever on Sunday when he’s officially enshrined into the Ring of Fame.

“Beyond the football player, just the man that he was. He carried himself in such a way that you can only aspire to be able to be talked about in the likes that he is talked about as a person,” Sutton said.

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