Former Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas died Thursday at his Roswell, Ga., home. He was 33.
Roswell police said Thursday night that Thomas was found dead in his home. The police added that preliminary reports indicated Thomas’ death might have resulted from a medical issue, according to ESPN.
“Preliminary information is that his death stems from a medical issue, and our investigators currently have no reason to believe otherwise,” public information officer Tim Lupo said in a statement early Friday.
Thomas’ cousin, LaTonya Bonseigneur, told the AP that he had been suffering seizures for over a year and the family believes he had one while he was showering. A friend was unable to get in touch with Thomas and sent over the receiver’s driver, who found him in the shower, according to Bonseigneur.
Thomas played in Denver for eight-and-a-half years after the team drafted him with the 22nd pick in the 2010 NFL Draft out of Georgia Tech. He was a key member of the Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50 and was selected to four Pro Bowls, including three consecutive selections, during his time in Denver.
“We are devastated and completely heartbroken. Demaryius’ humility, warmth, kindness and infectious smile will always be remembered by those who knew him and loved him,” the Broncos said in a statement.
Thomas concluded his career with short stints with the Texans, Patriots and Jets in 2018 and 2019 before officially retiring as a Bronco. Throughout his 10-year career, Thomas accumulated 724 receptions, 9,763 receiving yards and 63 touchdown catches. He is one of just four players in NFL history to notch 90 catches, 1,200 yards, and at least five touchdown receptions in four consecutive seasons.
Perhaps Thomas’ most famous play came during the playoffs after the 2011 season. In Denver’s AFC wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thomas pulled in an 80-yard touchdown pass from Tim Tebow on the first play of overtime.
The following season, the Broncos added Peyton Manning and Thomas’ numbers exploded. He had 94 catches for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012 — that led to the first of those five straight Pro Bowl selections.
He twice had more than 100 catches in a season, highlighted by career bests of 111 catches and 1,619 yards in 2014.
In Manning’s final year, the Broncos defeated Carolina in the Super Bowl to cap the 2015 season.
The Broncos also made the Super Bowl during the 2013 season, piling up the greatest offensive numbers in NFL history.
But they went down with a whimper in the title game, routed by the Seattle Seahawks 43-8 even though Thomas set a then-Super Bowl record with 13 receptions, totaling 118 yards.
“If we all played like he did, we’d have won,” Denver general manager John Elway moaned.
Thomas was a native of the tiny town of Montrose in Georgia and went on star at Georgia Tech, despite the program switching to a run-heavy offense in the middle of his career.
Thomas’ childhood was marked by the arrest of his mother and grandmother on drug charges when he was 11 years old.
Katina Smith was sentenced to 20 years in prison after refusing a lesser term in exchange for testifying against her mother, who wound up receiving a life sentence. Both women would be freed by President Barack Obama under an initiative to reduce the number of non-violent drug offenders doing time.
Smith was released in time to watch from the stands as her son won a championship.
“It’s like a dream come true, man,” Thomas said at the time. “As a kid, you always want to see your family watch you play in some big games and this is a very big game, and to have her finally out and is gonna be able to make my game, it’s a blessing. … It’ll make it better if we go out and win.”
Thomas, who appeared in 11 games for the Jets during the 2019 season, would have turned 34 on Christmas Day.
— With AP
