ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — One of the most beloved players in Broncos history is set to take his place among the franchise's all-time greats.
The late Super Bowl 50 champion and five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has been elected to the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in his first year of eligibility, the team announced Tuesday.
Thomas is the 38th Ring of Famer — and 13th first-ballot selection — in franchise history and will be posthumously inducted during halftime of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Giants on Sunday, Oct. 19 during Alumni Weekend. The weekend will also feature a celebration honoring the 10th anniversary of the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 championship team.
"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," 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, who passed away unexpectedly in December of 2021, ranks second in franchise history in career receiving yards (9,055) and receiving touchdowns (60) and possesses the third-most career receptions (665). He also holds the Broncos' single-season (1,619 yards) and single-game (226 yards) receiving records. In total, three of the Broncos' top five seasons for receiving yardage belong to Thomas. His five career 1,000-yard seasons are second in franchise history behind only Ring of Famer Rod Smith, and his 36 100-yard receiving games were tied for fourth among all NFL players during his nine-year Broncos tenure from 2010-18.
The 22nd-overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft from Georgia Tech, Thomas was the fourth-leading receiver of the 2010s and was twice named an Associated Press second-team All-Pro. From 2012-16, Thomas became the third player in NFL history to post five consecutive seasons with at least 90 catches and 1,000 receiving yards. In that span, he also joined Pro Football Hall of Famers Steve Atwater and Shannon Sharpe and Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller as the only Broncos with five consecutive Pro Bowl nods.
From 2012-15, Thomas' stat line was even more prolific, as he averaged more than 100 receptions, 1,400 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Only Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison had averaged those totals over a four-year span at the time Thomas accomplished the feat.
A focal point for the most prolific offense in NFL history, Thomas caught a career-high 14 touchdowns in 2013. A year later, he caught the second-most passes in franchise history and set a team record with 10 100-yard receiving games — including a seven-week stretch with consecutive 100-yard games. In 2014, Thomas was on the receiving end of Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning's then-NFL record 509th career touchdown pass.
Thomas also left an indelible mark in the postseason. He recorded one of the most memorable moments in franchise — and NFL — history with his walk-off 80-yard catch-and-run against the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime of the 2011 wild-card round for the game-winning score. His 204 yards in that matchup are the most in a single game in franchise history.
In 10 postseason starts, Thomas caught 53 passes for 759 yards and six touchdowns. His 13 receptions in Super Bowl XLVIII set a Super Bowl record for receptions, and he ranks first in franchise history in career postseason receptions. He also is tied with Smith for the most career postseason receiving touchdowns (6) and ranks second in career postseason receiving yardage.
During his Broncos tenure, Thomas won five AFC West titles, two AFC Championships and Super Bowl 50. He participated in 83 total wins, including the winningest four-year period in franchise history from 2012-15.
"For Demaryius and our family, this is a dream come true," said Thomas's mother, Katina Smith. "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 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."
Thomas' Broncos career ended in 2018 when he was traded to the Texans, and he played his final NFL season in 2019 with the New York Jets.
The Denver Broncos Ring of Fame is displayed on the Level 5 facade of Empower Field at Mile High, and each member also is honored with an eight-foot bronze-and-steel pillar in Ring of Fame Plaza. Inductees also receive an orange Ring of Fame jacket, a gold Ring of Fame ring and a custom-framed painting honoring their accomplishments.
