The NFL world has been stunned by the death of former Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, at just 33 years of age.
He was found dead in his home in Roswell, Georgia. The cause of death is not yet known.
Thomas was part of the winningest four-year period in team history from 2012-15 with Peyton Manning at quarterback. The Denver Broncos went 55-17 during that span, winning two AFC titles and Super Bowl 50.
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Manning said he never played with somebody as big, as strong and as fast as Thomas, who caught 445 passes for 6,249 yards and 46 touchdowns from 2012-15, including the playoffs.
Thomas’ biggest catch, however came with Tim Tebow at quarterback in an AFC wild-card game on Jan. 8, 2012, when he hauled in a 80-yard touchdown pass on the first snap of overtime to beat Pittsburgh 29-23 in a memorable moment.
Thomas was selected 22nd overall in the 2010 draft out of Georgia Tech. After playing for the Broncos from 2010-18, he was traded to the Houston Texans and finished his career with the Jets in 2019.
“DT was the complete package as a wide receiver, growing into one of the very best at his position,” Broncos president of football operations John Elway said earlier this year when Thomas officially retired.
“The combination of his size, speed, strength and athleticism was unmatched. Demaryius’ remarkable consistency and production were instrumental in our offense setting historic records and our team winning a lot of games, including two AFC championships and Super Bowl 50.
“Equally as impressive as his many catches, big plays and touchdowns was the fact he didn’t miss a game for nearly seven years in a row.”
Despite appearing on the injury report two dozen times with finger, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, neck, calf and hand injuries, Thomas played every possible game during his final seven seasons in Denver.
“You could always count on DT. He belongs among the greatest players in Broncos history for what he’s meant to this organisation on the field and out in the community. We appreciate everything Demaryius did for us and congratulate him on his retirement from the NFL,” Elway said.
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He was selected to the Pro Bowl five consecutive seasons, beginning in 2012 and finishing in 2016 with Trevor Siemian at quarterback following Manning’s retirement a month after winning Super Bowl 50.
He tied a franchise record with 14 TD catches in 2013 as the leading scorer on the most prolific offense in league history, one that piled up a record 606 points. His best statistical season came a year later when he set career highs with 111 catches for 1,619 yards.
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