Georgia: Demaryius Thomas, who played 10 seasons in the NFL and is considered one of the best wide receivers in Denver Broncos history, was found dead at his home in Roswell, Georgia, according to officials. He was 33 years old.
Police say preliminary information suggests Thomas’ death stemmed from a medical issue.
Family members were reportedly notified by the Roswell police at about 9 p.m. ET that they had found Thomas in a shower at his home.
The NFL issued a statement saying, “The NFL family mourns the tragic loss of Demaryius Thomas and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, who played four seasons with Thomas in Denver, said the wide receiver was a better person than he was a player.
Thomas had been honored by the Broncos during their home opener Sept. 26 against the New York Jets.
He was the first of two first-round picks for the Broncos in the 2010 NFL draft — Tim Tebow was the other — and spent nine seasons with the team. He finished his career as the Broncos’ second-leading receiver (9,055 yards), behind only Rod Smith. He is third in franchise history in catches (655) behind Smith and Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe.
Thomas played in 10 seasons overall with the Broncos, Houston Texans and Jets and finished with 724 catches for 9,763 yards and 63 touchdowns.
Thomas had a foot injury — he had been injured working out before the 2010 draft — in his first two seasons in the NFL but flourished when healthy. With the arrival of Manning in 2012, Thomas had at least 90 receptions and 1,300 yards in four consecutive seasons, joining Hall of Famers Marvin Harrison and Jerry Rice and Rams legend Torry Holt as the only players to reach those totals over four consecutive seasons.
In the Broncos’ record-setting season in 2013 — Manning set NFL records for passing yards (5,477) and touchdowns (55) as the Broncos scored a league-record 606 points — Thomas finished with a career-best 14 touchdowns. The following season, he finished with a career-best 1,619 receiving yards.
Thomas routinely said Manning revealed parts of the game that enabled him to elevate his play. Manning had called Thomas one of the best receivers he had played with in his career. When Manning’s children would come to practices, Thomas was routinely the first player they would run to as the players had become close friends. Thomas caught Manning’s 509th career touchdown pass, which gave the quarterback the career record at the time. A picture of Manning and Thomas posing with a handwritten sign after the game has been on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
