Broncos elect late, great WR Demaryius Thomas to Ring of Fame in first year of eligibility

Demaryius Thomas’ impact on the Broncos has never been questioned.

Now his place in the franchise’s legacy is secure.

The late, great former Denver wide receiver on Thursday was selected for the club’s Ring of Fame, the team announced.

Thomas, who died in 2021 at the age of 33, earned the honor in his first year of eligibility.

“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. 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.”

Thomas, a first-round draft pick of the Broncos in 2010 and over the ensuing nine seasons with the club authored among the most illustrious careers as a pass-catcher in franchise history.

Thomas finished his career second in club history in receiving yards (9,055 yards) and touchdown catches (60) and was a critical member of the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 championship run.

Thomas went on to play for Houston, New England and the New York Jets over the final stretch of his career, which came to a close in 2019.

Thomas died in 2021 in Roswell, Georgia in what the medical examiner there called “complications of seizure disorder.”

Subsequent study of Thomas’ brain led to a 2022 announcement that Boston University researchers had diagnosed him with Stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repetitive head trauma.

Thomas joins an illustrious list of former Broncos to be elected in their first year of eligibility. The others: Quarterbacks John Elway and Peyton Manning, wide receiver Rod Smith, center Tom Nalen, tight end Shannon Sharpe, cornerback Champ Bailey, safety Steve Atwarter and linebackers Randy Gradishar and Tom Jackson.

He is the sole member of the Broncos’ 2025 Ring of Fame class and the third former player to be elected since the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group purcahsed the team in 2022. The Broncos’ Ring of Fame committee includes the ownership group, former head coach Mike Shanahan, Atwater, play-by-play announcer Dave Logan and team historian Jim Saccomano.

“For Demaryius and our family, this is a dream come true,” his mother, Katrina Smith, said in a statement. “Like I told “Mr. Greg Penner, one of the things D.T. always said was he didn’t want to be forgotten when he was finished with the game. 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 a 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.”

This story will be updated.

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