Demaryius Thomas announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday. by ending his career as a four-time Pro Bowl recipient and franchise icon of the Denver Broncos.
“I finally decided to hang up,” Thomas announced in a Broncos social media video after signing a one-day contract with the team. “I will retire and I will lay off the Denver Broncos. I’m done and I’m doing well.”
Thomas, who spent his final season with the Jets in 2019, was a first-round pick in the 2010 NFL draft by the Broncos. They also chose Tim. Teebow in the first round that year too.
The pair put together the best moment of Thomas’ career in 201
2. Tebow threw a tilt for Thomas, whose 80-yard touchdown on his first play of overtime gave the Broncos a win over the Steelers. In AFC’s wildcard game .That wasn’t the only moment in Thomas’ history that shone brightly, the 33-year-old captured Peyton Manning’s 509th touchdown record at the time. Posing with a sign after the game is in Canton on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“DT is the complete package as a wide receiver, growing into one of his best positions,” Broncos president of football operations John Elway announced in a statement released by the team. “The combination of size, speed, strength and his athleticism is unmatched. Demaryius’s consistent and outstanding production played a key role in breaking our historic record. And our team has won many games, including two AFC Championships and Super Bowl 50.”
Thomas ended his career with a defensive range of 9,055 yards, second in franchise history behind undrafted free agent Rod Smith. Thomas’ 655 catch was third in franchise history, according to Reuters. Behind Smith and Shannon Sharpe
with Manning as his defender Thomas set a single-season franchise record with 1,619 yards in 2014.
And most impressively, there is only one player in NFL history to match Thomas’s five-year run from 2012 to 2016. He caught (535) yards (7,332) touchdowns (51 ) and win (64) during that period were matched by former 49ers wide and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice from 1992-96.
“For him to be as humble and soft-spoken as Demaryius did during his nine years with our organization. You’d never know he was a standout player in our league.” said Joe Ellis, CEO of the Broncos. The greatest mistake of all time set a new record And giving Broncos fans unforgettable memories, I’ve never heard Empower Field at Mile High louder than his game-winning touchdown in extratime against the Steelers in the playoffs.”
Thomas also played for the Texans before suffering a torn Achilles – ending his time with the franchise after just seven games – and will be honored with the Broncos against his former team from New York on the day. On September 26 during the Denver Open House
