Demaryius Thomas announced his retirement from the NFL Monday, ending his career as a four-time Pro Bowl receiver and a Denver Broncos franchise icon.
“I finally came to a decision to hang it up,” Thomas announced in a Broncos social media video after signing a one-day contract with the team. “I’m going to retire and I’m going to retire a Denver Bronco. I’m done and I did well.”
Thomas, who spent his final season with the Jets in 2019, was a first-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Broncos — they also selected Tim Tebow in the first-round that year.
The duo combined for the best moment of Thomas’ career in 2012. Tebow threw a slant to Thomas, who scored an 80-yard touchdown on the first play of overtime, giving the Broncos a victory over the Steelers in the AFC wild-card game.
That wasn’t the only historic moment Thomas shined in. The 33-year-old caught Peyton Manning’s then-record 509th touchdown pass. It was so iconic that a picture of Manning and Thomas posing with a sign after the game is in Canton on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“D.T. 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 announced in a team-issued statement. “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.”
Thomas finished his career with 9,055 receiving yards, second in franchise history behind undrafted free agent Rod Smith. Thomas’ 655 catches are third in franchise history in catches behind Smith and Shannon Sharpe.
With Manning as his quarterback, Thomas set the single-season franchise record with 1,619 receiving yards in 2014.
And perhaps most impressively, only one player in NFL history matched Thomas’ five-year run from 2012-16. His catches (535), receiving yards (7,332), touchdown catches (51) and wins (64) during that stretch has been matched by only ex-49ers wide receiver and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice from 1992-96.
“For as humble and soft-spoken as Demaryius was during his nine years with our organization, you would have never known he was such a dominant player in our league,” Broncos CEO Joe Ellis said “D.T. was an integral part of one of the greatest offenses of all time, putting up record-setting numbers and giving Broncos fans so many unforgettable memories. I’ve never heard Empower Field at Mile High louder than his game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Steelers in the playoffs.”
Thomas also played the Texans before suffering a torn Achilles that ended his time with the franchise after only seven games — and will be honored by the Broncos against his old team from New York on Sept. 26 during Denver’s home opener.