Demaryius Thomas overcame a difficult upbringing. He was a standout receiver in Georgia Tech’s run-heavy attack. He got five straight Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl ring with the Denver Broncos by the end of his NFL career.
Thomas, who died at his suburban Atlanta home at the age of 33, less than six months after announcing his retirement from the NFL, was remembered throughout the football world on Friday.
On Twitter, Tim Tebow, who may have thrown Thomas’ most famous pass, said he “woke up and got the incredibly heartbreaking news about my teammate and friend.”
“So many people will remember him for his athletic talent,” Tebow remarked, “but I’ll remember him for his kindness, his bright grin, and the love he had for those in his life.”
Thomas was discovered dead in his house on Thursday night, according to Officer Tim Lupo of the Roswell Police Department’s public information officer.
“Preliminary information indicates that his death was caused by a medical issue, and our investigators have no reason to assume otherwise,” Lupo stated on Friday morning.
The family believes Thomas died of a seizure, according to LaTonya Bonseigneur, a first cousin who grew up with him.
In a telephone interview, Bonseigneur added, “He had been suffering from seizures for over a year, and we suspect he suffered a seizure while showering.” “He was alone, and a buddy couldn’t reach him, so he called his driver, who has a key due to his seizures, and he went into his house and discovered him in the shower.”
Thomas last played in the NFL in 2019, when he appeared in 11 games for the New York Jets, starting ten of them. In a video broadcast to the Broncos’ Twitter account in June, he announced his retirement.
“I’m just relieved to be finished, and it served me well,” Thomas remarked.
The Broncos were “devastated and absolutely crushed” by the death of one of their finest players, who helped them win two Super Bowls and a championship in 2015.
The team noted his work with the Broncos Boys and Girls Club, hospital visits, and his yearly football camp as examples of his services to the Denver community.
In a statement, the team added, “We were very much looking forward to commemorating Demaryius for years to come as one of the best players in franchise history.” “Those who knew and loved Demaryius will always remember his humility, warmth, kindness, and contagious smile.”
Thomas, a native of the small Georgia town of Montrose, prospered even after his mother and grandmother were imprisoned for drug trafficking.
When Thomas was 11, officers barged into his family’s home, allowing his mother to take her son and two younger sisters to the school bus before hauling her away.
While he put up big numbers when the Broncos hired quarterback Peyton Manning in 2012, Thomas’ most famous reception came in his second season in the NFL.
He burst loose over the middle on the first play of overtime in an AFC wild-card playoff game, hauling in an 80-yard touchdown from Tebow to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On his retirement video, Thomas remarked, “Every time I see that, every time I see it, I still get the shivers because it was absolutely wild.”
After signing with the New England Patriots near the end of his career, Thomas had the opportunity to work briefly with Tom Brady. Before they had ever played a regular-season game together, Thomas was cut.
Brady shared a snapshot of the two at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in August on Twitter.
“I was heartbroken to learn of my friend Demariyus Thomas’ demise this morning,” Brady wrote. “His humility and cheerful personality were a blessing to all of us, and we will all miss him.”
Thomas, who was given the nickname “Bay Bay” as a child after the cartoon film “Bébé’s Kids,” made a reputation for himself as a receiver at Georgia Tech, even after the school chose Paul Johnson to succeed Chan Gailey as coach in 2008.
Johnson implemented a run-oriented option scheme, limiting the frequency of pass plays significantly. Thomas, on the other hand, was frequently left in single coverage and displayed the skills that led the Broncos to choose him with the No. 22 overall choice in the 2010 draft.
Johnson stated, “He was such a talent with a terrific heart for helping others.” “He had the ability to make everyone feel special around him.”
Geoff Collins, the current Georgia Tech coach, was a member of Gailey’s staff during Thomas’ first year at Georgia Tech in 2006. In August, the former player paid a visit to Collins’ squad during its preseason camp.
“I’ll never forget how excited our players were when he was able to stop over and spend some time with us,” Collins said. “Bay Bay was one of my all-time favorite persons. I’ll be sorely missing him.”
In three seasons at Georgia Tech, Thomas racked up 120 receptions for 2,339 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Thomas put up considerably better numbers for the Broncos when he teamed up with Manning, starting with a spectacular 2012 season in which he had 94 catches for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning him the first of his five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances.
He recorded over 100 catches twice in a season, with career highs of 111 catches and 1,619 yards in 2014, both of which are now franchise records. Thomas recorded five seasons in a row with over 1,000 yards receiving.
The Broncos won the Super Bowl 24-10 in Manning’s final season, capping the 2015 season. Denver leaned heavily on its defense and running game to win its first championship in 17 years, with Thomas having only one grab for 8 yards.
During the 2013 season, the Broncos also made the Super Bowl, putting up the best offensive stats in NFL history.
Despite Thomas setting a then-Super Bowl record with 13 receptions for 118 yards, they were crushed 43-8 by the Seattle Seahawks in the championship game.
Denver general manager John Elway grumbled, “If we all performed like he did, we would have won.”
The Broncos went 55-17 during Manning and Thomas’ four seasons together.
Thomas’ mother, Katina Smith, got to see him in person rather than on a jail television when Denver finished their incredible run with another Super Bowl trip.
Katina Smith received a 20-year sentence after declining a shorter sentence in exchange for testifying against her mother, Minnie Pearl Thomas, who was sentenced to life in prison.
“I think knowing they’re there and watching me drives me more,” Thomas stated before his first Super Bowl. “I try to go out there and give it my all because the people in the jailhouse are going to hear about it.”
President Barack Obama released both women as part of an endeavor to minimize the number of non-violent drug offenders serving time in prison.
Smith was released just in time to see her son win the Super Bowl from the stands.
As the Broncos tried to find a quarterback after Manning retired, Thomas’ production began to dwindle.
He was then traded to the Houston Texans for the 2018 season. With his new squad, he only had 23 catches in seven games and was released after that brief stint.
Thomas signed with the Patriots, but was released before the team’s first game. With the Jets, he came to an end.
Thomas had 724 catches for 9,763 yards and 63 touchdowns in 143 career games.
According to Bonseigneur, Thomas was not married and had no children. After his mother went to prison, he moved in with Shirley and James Brown, an aunt and uncle.
Thomas’ humble personality was instilled by Baptist clergyman James Brown. He never yelled at the quarterback for extra throws, and he never yelled at defenders.
“Just being in that environment, working harder, knowing that nothing is going to be easy,” Thomas once said.
Brown died of a heart attack on Nov. 15 at the age of 69. Thomas was present at his funeral.
Bonseigneur added, “Demaryius was a nice guy.” “He was born into a poor family. He was aware of the existence of God. He grew up in a close-knit household and was raised in the church.
“Even though he became famous, he was simply a kid from Montrose to us.” We never imagined he would go on to accomplish so much. He was merely a little boy who enjoyed football.”
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