Broncos will induct D. Thomas into Ring of Fame

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Demaryius Thomas, whose signature smile was as big a part of his legacy with the Denver Broncos as his long list of big plays, will be inducted into the team's Ring of Fame during the 2025 season.

Thomas was the only former player or coach selected for the honor Tuesday. The team's Ring of Fame committee is headed up by co-owners Rob Walton and Greg and Carrie Penner.

Thomas died on Dec. 9, 2021, just days before his 34th birthday, of what the Fulton County (Georgia) Medical Examiner's office ruled as "complications of a seizure disorder."

In a statement, the Penners said Thomas' selection to the Ring of Fame was "a testament to the indelible mark he left on our organization and community. One of the most beloved players and greatest wide receivers in franchise history, Demaryius inspired our fans with breathtaking athleticism, record-setting performances and joyful, infectious spirit."

Thomas will be formally inducted during the team's alumni weekend in October with a ceremony at halftime of the Oct. 19 game against the New York Giants.

Thomas, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, was the first of two first-round picks for the Broncos in the 2010 NFL draft -- quarterback Tim Tebow was the other -- and spent nine seasons with the Broncos. He finished his career as the team's second-leading receiver (9,055 yards), behind only Rod Smith.

Thomas is third in franchise history in catches (655), behind Smith and Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe. He played in 10 seasons overall in his NFL career -- his final season was in 2016 with the New York Jets -- and finished with 724 catches for 9,763 yards to go with 63 touchdowns.

From 2012 to 2015, with Hall of Famer Peyton Manning behind center, Thomas had at least 90 receptions and 1,300 yards in four consecutive seasons, joining Hall of Famers Marvin Harrison and Jerry Rice and St. Louis Rams legend Torry Holt as the only players to reach those totals over four straight campaigns.

In the Broncos' record-setting season in 2013, Manning established NFL standards for passing yards (5,477) and touchdowns (55), while the Broncos scored a league-record 606 points and Thomas finished with a career-best 14 touchdowns. The following season, Thomas had a career-best 1,619 yards receiving.

The Broncos won Super Bowl 50 to close out the 2015 season. Thomas was traded to the Houston Texans eight games into the 2018 season and finished his career with the Jets in 2019.

"He was a big reason I came out to play here," Manning has said of his decision to sign with Denver in 2012.

Thomas was involved in one of the most celebrated plays in team history with his 80-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown on the first play of overtime -- on a pass from Tebow -- in a wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2011 season.

Thomas also caught Manning's 509th and 510th career touchdown passes, which at the time gave Manning the NFL's all-time mark.

Thomas' trademark smile and ever-present desire to help those in need made him one of the franchise's most popular players in the community. He was a frequent visitor to a local Boys & Girls Club as well as other local outreach programs and charities, and he made an appearance as Santa Claus during one holiday season.