Super Bowl champion Demaryius Thomas, 33, 'collapsed and died from a seizure in the shower' say his family - six months after retiring from the NFL
Demaryius Thomas, who earned five straight Pro Bowls selections and a Super Bowl ring during a prolific receiving career spent mostly with the Denver Broncos, has died at the age of 33.
Thomas was found dead in his suburban Atlanta home Thursday night, said Officer Tim Lupo, public information officer for the police department in Roswell, Georgia.
'Preliminary information is that his death stems from a medical issue, and our investigators currently have no reason to believe otherwise,' Lupo said in a statement early Friday.
A family member later revealed that the retired wide receiver collapsed and died in the shower after suffering a seizure.
LaTonya Bonseigneur, Thomas' first cousin who thought of Thomas like a sibling, shared: 'He had been suffering from seizures for over a year, and we believe he had a seizure when he was showering.'
'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.'
The family was notified by Roswell police Thursday around 9pm.
Demaryius Thomas has died at the age of 33 six months after retiring from the NFL. Thomas was found dead from a seizure in his suburban Atlanta home Thursday night
The former Denver Broncos wide receiver's sudden death occurred two weeks before his 34th birthday (Pictured: Thomas, playing for the Broncos, catches a pass while covered by Seattle Seahawks' Bryon Maxwell during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game in 2014)
Thomas, who announced his retirement from the NFL in June, would have turned 34 on Christmas Day. He is survived by his girlfriend, Surina.
The Georgia native hauled in 63 touchdown passes during his 10-year career, spent mostly in Denver. He finished with 724 catches for 9,763 yards.
In a statement posted on Twitter, the NFL said: 'The NFL family mourns the tragic loss of Demaryius Thomas and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.'
The Broncos released a statement expressing their devastation and heartbreak for 'one of the greatest players in franchise history.'
Tom Brady also shared his grief over the passing of his friend: 'Im so sad to wake up this morning to hear about the passing of my friend Demariyus Thomas. We were all blessed with his humility and positive spirit, and we will all miss him. This photo is from the Hall of Fame this past August, a source of light as always.'
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was the first of many athletes to share their heartbreak after learning about the news on Thursday evening.
'Heartbroken,' Wilson wrote '#RIP Young Legend. Demaryius Thomas #88,' alongside a picture of Thomas pointing to the sky while playing for the Broncos.
Former NBA player Jamal Crawford, considered as one of the best ball handlers in the league's history, shared his shock.
'RIP Demaryius Thomas. Can't believe this...Prayers up to his family,' the three-time Sixth Man of the Year winner wrote.
The Broncos selected Thomas No. 22 overall in the 2010 draft out of Georgia Tech, where he finished his career with 120 receptions for 2,339 yards and 14 touchdowns in three seasons.
Thomas ranks No. 2 in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns on the Broncos' all-time list, trailing only Rod Smith in both categories.
Thomas won a Super Bowl with the Broncos in 2015 and earned four Pro Bowls in a Broncos uniform. He played in two Super Bowls, setting a Super Bowl record with 13 catches in a 43-8 loss to Seattle in Super Bowl 48.
During the reception of the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 win at the White House in June 2016, Thomas personally delivered a letter to Barack Obama, asking the former president to pardon his grandmother from a lengthy prison sentence charges related to a crack cocaine bust in the 1990s, which also led to his mother's incarceration.
Two months later, Obama agreed to commute Minnie Pearl Thomas' sentence, who had been in jail for 16 years. Prior to that, Obama had commuted the sentence of Thomas' mom, Katina Smith, who was jailed for 20 years on drug charges.
After his grandmother's release in August 2016, Thomas tweeted his thanks to Obama, writing: 'Wanna Thank the @POTUS for everything he's done for my family, and a lot more families giving them second chances. Couldn't be a better day! '
Thomas' mother was even released in time to watch her son play and win the Super Bowl L (50) after the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10.
The grandmother of Denver Broncos player Demaryius Thomas, 60-year-old Minnie Pearl Thomas (right) was released from jail in 2016 after President Obama commuted her sentence.
Houston Texans wide receiver Demaryius Thomas stands with his parents, Bobby Thomas, right, and Katina Smith, prior to the team's NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Nov. 4, 2018, in Denver
Bronco fans will surely remember Thomas's emphatic performance in the team's first-round playoff game against the heavily-favored Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012.
The wide receiver had four catches for 204 yards, including an 80-yard catch-and-run walkoff touchdown reception on the first play of overtime, giving Denver its most thrilling home win since their 1977 AFC Championship Game victory against the Raiders.
Traded to the Houston Texans in 2018, Thomas was then signed to the New England Patriots but was cut before their opener. He last played with the New York Jets in 2019, starting 10 of 11 games.
Beyond his work on the field, Thomas is being remembered for his contributions to the community such as his work with the Broncos Boys and Girls Club, hospital visits, his annual football camp and 'many other genuine interactions,' the Broncos' statement read.
'Demaryius' humility, warmth, kindness and infectious smile will always be remembered by those who knew him and loved him,' the statement said. 'We have lost an incredible player and a special person in Demaryius Thomas.'
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