Tim Tebow gives emotional tribute after Demaryius Thomas’ death on ‘First Take’
Tim Tebow was emotional on Friday’s episode of “First Take,” while remembering his friend and former Broncos teammate Demaryius Thomas, whose death was reported on Thursday night.
“I think we all know how gifted DT was on the football field but that was not his greatest gift — his greatest gift was the joy he brought to life,” Tebow said, while fighting back tears.
“I had a chance to talk with [former Broncos WR] Eric Decker this morning and we were reminiscing on our great times together with DT and the one thing we kept coming back to was how when he would walk in a room, he made the room brighter.
“He made the room better — not because of what he did on the football field, but because of his smile, his kindness, because of his joy for life, because his love for people. I want us to remember him, but I want us to honor him, by when we have a chance to go live out our dreams and what we do to bring that same joy, love and kindness for people.
“That’s the way I’m going to remember DT, and that’s the way I think so many of his friends and family will remember him as well — as someone that loved people, as someone that brought so much joy, as someone that when they walked in a room that room got brighter and better because of DT. We will love him and miss him dearly.”
Thomas was found dead in his Roswell, Ga., home on Thursday. A cause of death has not been released. On Friday, a relative of Thomas’ said his family believes he died from a seizure, and that he had been suffering from seizure-related issues for over a year.
Tebow and Thomas were selected by Denver three picks apart in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. The pair won the 2012 ESPY award for Best Moment for their memorable play against the Steelers in the wild-card Round of the 2012 NFL Playoffs.
Denver and the Pittsburgh were tied 23-23 heading into overtime, with the Broncos receiving the ball. On the first play from scrimmage, Tebow connected with Thomas across the middle for a game-winning 80-yard touchdown pass.
After they won the award at the ESPYs, Tebow said Thomas was nervous to take the stage.
“I remember being with him when they announced it.. when we got on stage he said, ‘Please don’t make me say anything. You say it and I’ll smile,'” Tebow recalled on “First Take.”
“He wouldn’t say anything, because he was a little shy, but he said enough with his joy and his smile.”
Before appearing on “First Take” Friday, Tebow tweeted, “Woke up and saw the really devastating news about my teammate and friend, Demaryius Thomas. So many are going to remember him for his athletic ability… but I’ll be remembering him for his kindness, his smile that would light up a room, and the love he had for those in his life.”
Thomas, who announced his NFL retirement in June, would have turned 34 on Dec. 25.
