Tragic news was revealed Thursday night when officials confirmed that legendary former Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas died at age 33.
Thomas died in his home state of Georgia with Roswell officials determining he had passed away from an undisclosed medical issue at his home.
Friends indicated that Thomas had been dealing with seizures in his final months. Thomas would have turned 34 on Christmas Day. He was remembered by his teammates and coaches as a kind person known for generous spirit in the community.
"I'm heartbroken," former Texans and Broncos tight end Owen Daniels wrote on social media. "I love you DT."
Thomas, who also played for the Texans, New York Jets and New England Patriots, announced he had officially retired from the NFL in June.
"I'm Demaryius Thomas, I finally came to a decision to hang it up," Thomas said in a video announcing his retirement. "I'm going to retire and I'm going to retire a Denver Bronco. I'm done and I did well.''
A former Broncos first-round draft pick from Georgia Tech, he won a Super Bowl with the team and was selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls.
He ranked second in franchise history with 9,055 receiving yards and 60 touchdowns and third with 665 receptions. He finished his career with 777 career receptions, 10,522 yards and 69 touchdowns, including his 10 playoff games.
"Feel like a dream!" former Texans and Broncos safety Mike Adams wrote. "I'm so sick right now! REST EASY DT."
While playing with Peyton Manning for four seasons, Thomas averaged 101 catches for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns. He set a Super Bowl record with 13 receptions in a 43-8 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
"The NFL family mourns the tragic loss of Demaryius Thomas and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones," the NFL said in a statement.
"Love forever, bro," former teammate Brandin Marshall wrote on social media.
"For as humble and soft-spoken as Demaryius was during his nine years with our organization, you would have never known he was such a dominant player in our league,'' Broncos CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement in June. "D.T. was an integral part of one of the greatest offenses of all time, putting up record-setting numbers and giving Broncos fans so many unforgettable memories."
Deepest condolences to Thomas' family, friends and teammates.
Photo: Getty Images