Demaryius Thomas — a two-time All-Pro wide receiver and Super Bowl champion — was found dead Thursday night at his home, according to police. He was 33.
“Preliminary information is that his death stems from a medical issue, and our investigators currently have no reason to believe otherwise,” said Officer Tim Lupo, public information officer for the police department in Roswell, Georgia.
Thomas’ cousin — LaTonya Bonseigneur — told the Associated Press that he had been suffering from seizures and the family believes these symptoms were the cause of death.
“He had been suffering from seizures for over a year, and we believe he had a seizure when he was showering,” Bonseigneur said early Friday. “We’re not sure when he died. We just spoke with him yesterday.”
She added, “He was alone and a friend couldn’t get hold of him, so he called his driver, who has a key because of these seizures, and he went into his home and found him in the shower.”
Thomas was drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, the same draft in which the Broncos selected quarterback Tim Tebow.
“Woke up and saw the really devastating news about my teammate and friend, Demaryius Thomas,” Tebow posted to Twitter Friday morning. “So many are going to remember him for his athletic ability… but I’ll be remembering him for his kindness, his smile that would light up a room, and the love he had for those in his life.”
Woke up and saw the really devastating news about my teammate and friend, Demaryius Thomas. So many are going to remember him for his athletic ability… but I’ll be remembering him for his kindness, his smile that would light up a room, and the love he had for those in his life. pic.twitter.com/gNVzmJ503X
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) December 10, 2021
In perhaps his most memorable moment, Thomas had a walk-off 80-yard catch-and-run touchdown to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 AFC Wild Card Game.
Demaryius Thomas has passed away at the age of 33 per @AllbrightNFL.
Gone too soon. RIP 🙏pic.twitter.com/eQCZznsiyk
— PFF (@PFF) December 10, 2021
“We are devastated and completely heartbroken by the sudden, tragic passing of Demaryius Thomas,” the Broncos said in a statement Friday. “D.T. was beloved by our entire organization, his teammates and coaches, and our fans. Recently retiring as a Bronco, we were very much looking forward to celebrating Demaryius for years to come as one of the greatest players in franchise history.”
We are devastated and completely heartbroken.
Demaryius' humility, warmth, kindness and infectious smile will always be remembered by those who knew him and loved him. pic.twitter.com/0GLZIr6UP3
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 10, 2021
Thomas played nine seasons with the Broncos, finishing his career in Denver with 665 catches for 9,055 yards and 60 touchdowns.
In 2015, with Peyton Manning as his quarterback, Thomas caught 105 passes for 1304 yards and six touchdowns. The Broncos franchise won their third Super Bowl that season, their first since 1998 season.
“D.T. was a better person than he was a player, and he was a Hall of Fame player,” Manning said in a statement. “That tells you how good of a person he was. He treated my kids like they were his own. He was there for every teammate’s charity event. I texted with D.T. on Tuesday. He was talking about a TD audible we called vs Arizona in 2014. Absolutely devastated.”
Thomas retired from football in June as a Bronco.
“I’m Demaryius Thomas. I finally came to a decision to hang it up. … I’m going to retire and I’m going to retire a Denver Bronco,” he said. “… I’m done and I did well.”
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].