Demaryius Thomas elected to Denver Broncos Ring of Fame
In 2024, the Denver Broncos made the playoffs behind one of the best defenses in the league powered by Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II.
Standout play from that side of the ball and in-season improvement from rookie quarterback Bo Nix resulted in a 10-7 season and a playoff berth for the first time since the Broncos won Super Bowl 50 to cap the 2015 NFL season.
That championship win was earned through another top defense and a solid offense with one Pro Bowl player: wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
Thomas was the Broncos' leading receiver for six seasons and earned five Pro Bowl honors with Denver. Now, the team will honor him as the newest member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.
The ultimate Bronco.Demaryius Thomas has been selected to the #BroncosROF!#LLDT 🧡 pic.twitter.com/FztWJSWkFT
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 27, 2025
This was Thomas' first year of eligibility to be elected to the Ring of Fame.
"Demaryius Thomas' election to the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame — in his first year of eligibility — is a testament to the indelible mark he left on our organization and community," Broncos owners Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner said in a statement. "One of the most beloved players and greatest wide receivers in franchise history, Demaryius inspired our fans with breathtaking athleticism, record-setting performances and a joyful, infectious spirit."
Thomas died on Dec. 9, 2021, two years after playing his last game in NFL during the 2019 season.
"While we wish 'D.T.' was with us to celebrate this special moment, we look forward to honoring Demaryius alongside his Super Bowl 50 teammates during an unforgettable alumni weekend," Penner and Walton Penner said.
The Broncos drafted Thomas in the first round, No. 22 overall, in the 2010 NFL Draft. He was the first wide receiver selected in the class and spent the first nine years of his career with the Broncos.
His production jumped when the Broncos signed quarterback Peyton Manning ahead of the 2012 NFL season. Thomas had five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and made the Pro Bowl each year from 2012 to 2016.
Denver traded Thomas to the Houston Texans during the 2018 season for a pair of draft picks in 2019. He suffered an Achilles injury late in the year and missed the final game of the season.
Thomas signed with the New England Patriots in 2019 but was traded to the New York Jets before playing a game for New England. He played in 11 games for the Jets in his final NFL season.
Thomas officially announced his retirement in June 2021.
"... One of the things D.T. always said was he didn't want to be forgotten when he was finished with the game," Thomas' mother, Katina Smith, said in a statement. "It wasn't just about football for him but how he wanted to be remembered as a person. This will make Demaryius' dream come true to be part of the prestigious Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.
"It's definitely going to be emotional and I am honored to represent him. I know D.T. is smiling in heaven with this exciting news that came out today."
'For Demaryius and our family, this is a dream come true. ... I know D.T. is smiling in heaven with this exciting news." 🧡D.T.'s mom Katina Smith on his #BroncosROF election: pic.twitter.com/E34lcgdfEH
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 27, 2025
He remains one of the most prolific wide receivers in Broncos history. Thomas is second in career receiving yards (9,055) and touchdowns (60). He holds the franchise single-season and single-game records for yards with 1,619 and 226, respectively.
One of his more memorable moments with the Broncos was a walk-off touchdown in the 2011 wild-card round of the NFL playoffs. His catch-and-run sealed a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Broncos Ring of Famer Demaryius Thomas taking it to the house in one of the most iconic plays in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/wTKocdc8hu
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) May 27, 2025
Thomas will be honored during the Broncos' annual alumni weekend. The Super Bowl 50 title-winning team will be honored during a Week 7 home game against the New York Giants.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Demaryius Thomas elected to Broncos Ring of Fame
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Aaron Rodgers signs with Steelers: See which number the new AFC North QB will wear
It was a big day filled with numbers for Aaron Rodgers on Saturday. He signed his contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The deal is for a year and will earn the quarterback $10 million guaranteed, with a maximum value of $19.5 million. The deal includes $5.85 million worth of playing time and team performance incentives. Rodgers will wear No. 8 for the Steelers, per Adam Schefter. No Steelers player has worn 12 since Terry Bradshaw, so that was out of the question, although the number is not retired. Rodgers will take the number from current punter Corliss Waitman, who has been with the team for three seasons. This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Aaron Rodgers signs with Steelers and has a jersey number
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ex-Buffalo Bills Receiver Meeting With AFC Rival
Ex-Buffalo Bills Receiver Meeting With AFC Rival originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills have had a lot of question marks at wide receiver over the past few years. The Bills have had more than a few costly departures, from brought in talent such as Stephon Diggs and homegrown talent such as Gabe Davis. Advertisement Davis was drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Bills. In his four seasons in Buffalo, Davis tallied 2,730 yards and 27 touchdowns. The Bills did not extend Davis beyond his rookie deal, leading to him signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a three-year, $39 million contract. Davis struggled in Jacksonville's offense, only catching 20 of his 42 targets and posting 239 yards and two touchdowns. Davis' season was cut short by a torn meniscus in his left knee, only playing in 10 games. The Jaguars released Davis after the season, and he is currently looking for a new home: a home, reportedly, also in the AFC. Advertisement ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Davis is taking a meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. "Sources: Former Bills and Jaguars WR Gabe Davis is scheduled to travel to Pittsburgh on Wednesday to visit with the Steelers on Thursday." Schefter posted on X. The Steelers are looking to add playmakers and pass catchers, and Davis is as good of a bounce-back candidate as they can get. "Pittsburgh has been seeking additional receiving help and has inquired about, but is not expected to trade for, Miami TE Jonnu Smith." Shefter added. Davis earned the nickname "Big Game Gabe" during his tenure in Buffalo. He had a number of standout performances for the Bills, namely in the playoffs. Advertisement In the Bills' overtime thriller against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2021 AFC Divisional Round, Davis was the star of the game, despite the loss. Davis tallied 201 yards and four touchdowns on just eight receptions, having one of the greatest playoff performances in Bills' history. His heroics in the divisional game marked just the ninth time a player has recorded 200+ receiving yards in a playoff game, and the first time a receiver has hauled in four touchdowns. Related: Bills Signing Josh Allen to New $330 Million Contract About To Pay Off Related: Bills' Josh Allen And Hailee Steinfeld Wedding Guest List Revealed This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Buffalo Bills Added 'Summer Breakout Candidate'
Buffalo Bills Added 'Summer Breakout Candidate' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills are trying to make their way to the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance in 30 years. General manager Brandon Beane has been wheeling and dealing this offseason trying to construct the best possible roster they can to bring the Lombardi Trophy to Buffalo. Advertisement Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine identified each NFL team's most important position battle and breakout candidate, with both categories directly tied to moves Beane has made this offseason. The Bills' top summer breakout candidate is former Los Angeles Chargers' wide receiver Joshua Palmer. "Josh Palmer might not be a breakout player in the traditional sense, but he's someone who could have a bigger impact than most are anticipating." Ballentine wrote. "General manager Brandon Beane was adamant that the Bills had the right receivers on the roster after the draft. Adding Palmer is one of the reasons why." Ballentine believes that playing next to Josh Allen specifically can help elevate Palmer's production to the next level. Advertisement "He already has four years of NFL experience, including a 769-yard season in 2022." Ballentine noted. "But he's still just 25 years old, and playing in a more established offensive ecosystem in Buffalo with Josh Allen could see him reach a different level." Ballentine drew attention to the cornerback position as the most important position battle for the Bills, especially as it pertains to who starts on the outside opposite of Christian Benford. "The Bills have every right to be thinking Super Bowl, but they won't get there if they don't have the secondary to compete with elite offenses." Ballentine wrote. "That's one of the biggest questions heading into summer team activities. Specifically, who is starting across from Christian Benford?" The Bills brought back a pair of veterans in Dane Jackson and Tre'Davious White, while also drafting a pair of cornerbacks in Maxwell Hairston and Dorian Strong, meaning there's a lot of possibilities for how the battle could shake out. Advertisement "Rasul Douglas manned the spot last season, but he struggled late in the season and hasn't been re-signed." Ballentine pointed out. "Ideally, Hairston would be able to win the job as a first-round pick. That would go a long way toward helping fans forget about the Kaiir Elam experience." Related: Bills Signing Josh Allen to New $330 Million Contract About To Pay Off Related: Bills' Josh Allen And Hailee Steinfeld Wedding Guest List Revealed This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
