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Jeff Legwold
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Demaryius Thomas, whose signature smile was as huge part of his legacy with the Denver Broncos as his lengthy record of massive performs, shall be inducted into the crew’s Ring of Fame through the 2025 season.
Thomas was the one former participant or coach chosen for the dignity Tuesday. The crew’s Ring of Fame committee is headed up by co-owners Rob Walton and Greg and Carrie Penner.
Thomas died on Dec. 9, 2021, simply days earlier than his thirty fourth birthday, of what the Fulton County (Georgia) Medical Examiner’s workplace dominated as “problems of a seizure dysfunction.”
In a press release, the Penners stated Thomas’ choice to the Ring of Fame was “a testomony to the indelible mark he left on our group and neighborhood. One of the beloved gamers and best huge receivers in franchise historical past, Demaryius impressed our followers with breathtaking athleticism, record-setting performances and joyful, infectious spirit.”
Thomas shall be formally inducted through the crew’s alumni weekend in October with a ceremony at halftime of the Oct. 19 sport towards the New York Giants.
Thomas, a five-time Professional Bowl choice, was the primary of two first-round picks for the Broncos within the 2010 NFL draft — quarterback Tim Tebow was the opposite — and spent 9 seasons with the Broncos. He completed his profession because the crew’s second-leading receiver (9,055 yards), behind solely Rod Smith.
Thomas is third in franchise historical past in catches (655), behind Smith and Corridor of Famer Shannon Sharpe. He performed in 10 seasons general in his NFL profession — his closing season was in 2016 with the New York Jets — and completed with 724 catches for 9,763 yards to go along with 63 touchdowns.
The final word Bronco.
Demaryius Thomas has been chosen to the #BroncosROF!#LLDT 🧡 pic.twitter.com/FztWJSWkFT
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) Might 27, 2025
From 2012 to 2015, with Corridor of Famer Peyton Manning behind middle, Thomas had not less than 90 receptions and 1,300 yards in 4 consecutive seasons, becoming a member of Corridor of Famers Marvin Harrison and Jerry Rice and St. Louis Rams legend Torry Holt as the one gamers to succeed in these totals over 4 straight campaigns.
Within the Broncos’ record-setting season in 2013, Manning established NFL requirements for passing yards (5,477) and touchdowns (55), whereas the Broncos scored a league-record 606 factors and Thomas completed with a career-best 14 touchdowns.
The next season, Thomas had a career-best 1,619 yards receiving.
The Broncos then gained Tremendous Bowl 50 to shut out the 2015 marketing campaign. Thomas was traded to the Houston Texans eight video games into the 2018 season and completed his profession with the Jets in 2019.
“He was an enormous cause I got here out to play right here,” Manning has stated of his determination to signal with Denver in 2012.
Thomas was concerned in one of the vital celebrated performs in crew historical past along with his 80-yard catch-and-run for a landing on the primary play of additional time — on a cross from Tebow — in a wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers through the 2011 season.
Thomas additionally caught Manning’s 509th and 510th profession landing passes, which on the time gave Manning the NFL’s all-time mark.
Thomas’ trademark smile and ever-present want to assist these in want made him one of many franchise’s hottest gamers in the neighborhood. He was a frequent customer to an area Boys & Ladies Membership in addition to different native outreach packages and charities, and he made an look as Santa Claus throughout one vacation season.
