Demaryius Thomas elected to Broncos' Ring of Fame
The Denver Broncos will honor one of the franchise's best receivers, Demaryius Thomas, this year.
The team announced Tuesday that the late "DT" has been elected to the team's Ring of Fame.
Advertisement
Thomas was a hallmark of the Broncos during his career. Selected 22nd overall in the 2010 NFL draft out of Georgia Tech, Thomas began his career quietly in Denver. In 2010, Thomas only had 22 receptions for 283 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2011, Thomas started to make a bigger impact as the Broncos mired through quarterback controversy early in the season between then-starter Kyle Orton and fan favorite Tim Tebow. As Denver marched towards a playoff berth in 2011, Thomas made one of the most memorable plays in franchise, and arguably, NFL history. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, Thomas caught a pass from Tebow that went 80 yards for a touchdown, ending the first overtime playoff game under the new format.
Thomas's next four years would mark the best years of his career, as he caught passes from Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. Thomas became the bona fide No. 1 receiver for Manning, leading the team in receptions from 2012-2017. Thomas led the Broncos in touchdowns in the 2013 season (14) when Denver had the most prolific offensive season in NFL history. Thomas set a Super Bowl record for most targets (19) in Super Bowl XLVIII's blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He caught 13 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Thomas finally earned a Super Bowl ring with the Broncos in Super Bowl 50, catching only one pass for eight yards in the win over the Carolina Panthers.
Advertisement
Thomas helped fill the void at receiver after Manning's retirement prior to the 2016 season. In 2018, Thomas was traded mid-season to the Houston Texans, as rookie Courtland Sutton began to emerge as another top target in the Broncos offense. Thomas, ironically, helped Houston beat Denver in Week 9 of the 2018 season after the trade.
Thomas only played one more year in the NFL after the trade, this time with the New York Jets, where he only caught 36 passes for 433 yards and one touchdown. Thomas finally hung up his cleats in June 2019, as a Bronco.
After his retirement, it seemed like life would go on quietly for Thomas, until tragedy struck in 2021. Thomas was found dead at age 33 in his Atlanta, Georgia home on December 9, 2021 of an apparent seizure. Thomas's death stunned all, and the Broncos gave touching tributes in his honor the rest of that season.
Thomas has a place in nearly every Broncos' fan's mind and heart. His place in team history is also on display yearly as his name is on the team's MVP award.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos news: Demaryius Thomas elected to Ring of Fame
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Harvey Weinstein Speaks Out as Retrial Nears End: My Actions Were ‘Immoral,' ‘Never ‘Criminal'
Harvey Weinstein gave a rare interview to New York's local Fox station on Friday as his retrial for charges of first-degree sexual assault and third-degree rape nears its end. 'I regret [that] I put my family through this, that I put my wife through this, that I acted immorally, that I put so many friends through this,' he said. 'I hurt people that were close to me by actions that were stupid but never illegal, never criminal, never anything.' The former producer also said that his attorney, Arthur Aidala, advised him not to take the stand in his own defense during the trial. 'I desperately wanted to,' he said. 'Arthur said to me that the jury … understood our case and would be sympathetic to our case, and that the D.A. would try to rip me apart if I took the stand. I'm not afraid of the D.A., but this is the best advice, and this is the advice you often hear: Don't take the stand if you don't have to.' More from Rolling Stone Sean Combs Accuser Sues Harvey Weinstein for Sexual Assault Harvey Weinstein Rape Retrial Begins as Prosecutors Detail New Charge and Identify New Accuser Harvey Weinstein Granted Hospital Transfer Ahead of Rape Retrial Weinstein spoke by phone from Bellevue Hospital, where he has been held for the duration of the proceeding due to his multiple health issues. ('I have spinal stenosis. I have bone marrow cancer. I have a thing called burning mouth disease. I have a list of ailments longer than an encyclopedia,' he said of his health.) The New York Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction last year. He had previously been found guilty of a felony sex crime and third-degree rape, two out of five charges he faced at the time. But the appeals court decided that prosecutors should not have been allowed to present testimony from accusers whose allegations did not specifically relate to the charges against him. The retrial, which began in April, focused on the claims of three women, two of whom were part of the 2020 case. Weinstein pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor and Weinstein's legal team presented their closing arguments this week. Jury deliberations began Thursday. When asked what he thought of the women who'd levied accusations against him in this trial, Weinstein told Fox, 'I think Arthur says they have four million reasons to testify, as in dollars.' Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison for a separate sexual assault conviction in Los Angeles. In December 2022, a jury there found Weinstein guilty of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault. He has filed an appeal. Best of Rolling Stone Every Super Bowl Halftime Show, Ranked From Worst to Best The United States of Weed Gaming Levels Up
USA Today
31 minutes ago
- USA Today
Tom Rafferty, longtime Cowboys center and Super Bowl champion, dies at 70
Tom Rafferty, longtime Cowboys center and Super Bowl champion, dies at 70 Show Caption Hide Caption Vikings ironman Jim Marshall dead at 87 Minnesota Vikings legend Jim Marshall, who played in 282 straight games in the NFL, has passed away at the age of 87, the team has announced. unbranded - Sport Tom Rafferty, the longtime starting center for the Dallas Cowboys and a Super Bowl champion, died on Thursday at the age of 70 following a stroke in Windsor, Colorado, the team announced. Rafferty had dealt with multiple health issues in recent years, notably dealing with a transverse myelitis diagnosis since 2008. According to Rafferty's daughter, Rachel Powers, her father had been hospitalized since early May. He was known for being an anchor on the Cowboys' offensive line, as the 14-year NFL veteran's career spanned from Roger Staubach to Troy Aikman. Rafferty was a fixture on the team after being drafted in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL Draft, wearing the famous Dallas star on his helmet from 1976 until he retired after the 1989 season. A New York native and Penn State product, Rafferty played in two Super Bowls for the Cowboys. He was the starting guard for Dallas in a 27-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 12. Originally a guard, Rafferty transitioned to center after four seasons in what was supposed to be a temporary move. It ended up being a permanent position change until Mark Stepnoski took over during the 1989 season, saying, "three weeks turned into nine years," according to the team website. Rafferty appeared in 203 games for the Cowboys and started in 182, which is the fourth-most in team history. In his post-playing days, Rafferty went into sports equipment sales. He is survived by his wife, Donna, daughter, Rachel, son, Michael, and two grandchildren.
Newsweek
36 minutes ago
- Newsweek
NFL Insider Drops Concerning Update on Terry McLaurin's Situation
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Mandatory minicamp is around the corner for the Washington Commanders and Terry McLaurin still doesn't have an extension in place. While McLaurin's absence at minicamp wasn't a major red flag, considering the sessions weren't mandatory, it was clear that his lack of presence was due to contract talks going quiet. So far, McLaurin's plans for the mandatory minicamp on June 10 are not known. While all signs are beginning to point to him not showing up unless another deal is agreed to, only time will tell if that's really the case. Either way, one NFL Insider's recent update on McLaurin paints a concerning picture. "I don't think it's in a great place right now," Albert Breer said on 106.7 The Fan in DC on Thursday. "If you ask me where this is, and I think it's just sort of, I hate to say normal course of things, but I do think to some degree these things do get bumpy." What is Albert Breer hearing about Terry McLaurin contract talks? "I don't think it's in a great place right now." — 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) June 5, 2025 McLaurin just earned his highest honor as an NFL wide receiver in 2024, getting named Second-Team All-Pro. He earned that nod amid his second Pro Bowl campaign. Playing with first-year quarterback Jayden Daniels, McLaurin thrived by coming down with 82 catches for 1,096 yards. He scored a career-high 13 touchdowns, shattering his previous high, which was seven during his rookie season in 2019. Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders runs the ball to score a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025 in Philadelphia,... Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders runs the ball to score a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles beat the Commanders 55-23. More LaurenThis season, McLaurin is set to make $15.5 million. Beyond that, there are no guarantees in place. If McLaurin hit the free agency market, he would generate a major market, being that he's one of the most productive and consistent pass-catchers in the game. If the Commanders want to make sure they lock in McLaurin beyond this season, they'll have to come to the table with something around the $30 million mark, doubling his current salary, according to Breer. "I think it's fair of him to ask for something in that range, just based on where the market's gone," the Insider added. On a slightly positive note, the assumption is that McLaurin and the Commanders will get something done. Unfortunately, there could be some mess along the way. For a Commanders team that played without pressure in 2024, they thrived and shocked the football world by making a run to the 2024 NFC Championship game under the leadership of their rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels. Now, the mood is a little different. The Commanders have an overachieving wideout who wants to get paid. The pressure is on for them to take a step forward after shattering expectations last season. Washington will likely do the right thing and pay McLaurin. Just how far will the talks go, though?
