Manning’s emotions run high for DT’s Ring of Fame induction

DENVER — Peyton Manning said seeing Demaryius Thomas’ name next to his on the stadium façade will be “pretty special” as the Denver Broncos honor the late wide receiver with an induction into the team’s Ring of Fame Sunday at halftime.

Manning, at Empower Field for the 10-year reunion of the Super Bowl 50 champions, reflected on Thomas’ impact as both a player and person.

The weekend has been “happy times, but emotional times as well,” Manning said, adding he “can’t thank the Broncos enough for having us.”

“Demaryius was every bit as good a human being as he was a football player,” Manning said. “He kind of kept things in perspective… the fact that he makes it out of rural Georgia to become a Ring of Honor player here in Denver is pretty amazing.”

The quarterback spoke at length about Thomas’ trademark smile and the way his presence lifted teammates.

“It was just contagious,” Manning said. “You see the smile… everyone talks about the smile with him.”

He also lauded Thomas’ daily work habits and toughness.

“He practiced every single day, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, which doesn’t happen all that much anymore,” the legend said. “You want to catch the ball, practice every day. Your quarterback remembers that and he’ll throw it to you.”

Manning acknowledged Thomas was a central reason he chose the Broncos in 2012.

“When all of y’all ask me, what’s the main reason you came to Denver? I’m not sure I gave you all the honest answers back in 2012,” he shared. “But Demaryius Thomas was a big reason for it.”

On the field, the duo helped define an era of offensive dominance in Denver. Manning smiled, recalling the simple receiver screen the Broncos turned into a weekly weapon with Thomas’ blend of size, speed and power.

“That’s a quarterback’s best friend: a one-yard screen pass that goes for 80 yards against the Ravens or Pittsburgh. You take that all day,” he said.

Manning said Sunday’s ceremony will hit him hard. “The fact that it’s going to be up there on the stadium next to mine means a lot… Seeing his name up there next to mine at halftime, that’ll be pretty special.”

The Ring of Fame moment caps a weekend of reflection for Manning, who noted how much Thomas meant to his family and the organization beyond the stat sheet. He cited Thomas’ joy around kids and his involvement with Boys & Girls Clubs as emblematic of who he was.

“He had more joy being around young people… and that’s just who he was,” Manning said.

As Broncos Country celebrates Thomas, Manning summed up the feelings of a team and a city still moved by No. 88’s legacy.

“We miss him every day,” Manning said. “Demaryius was every bit as good a human being as he was a football player.”

Peyton Manning got really choked up thinking about the meaning of his name and his close friend Demaryius Thomas having their names next to one other in the stadium. pic.twitter.com/bSBdWW2DlW

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) October 19, 2025

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