Tag: Demaryius Thomas

Tim Tebow reflects on Broncos’ playoff win over Steelers in 2011

On this day (Jan. 8) in 2012, Broncos QB Tim Tebow hit WR Demaryius Thomas for a game-winning TD against the Steelers in the NFL playoffs.

The Tim Tebow mania of 2011 will go down in history as one of the greatest spectacles in Denver Broncos franchise history, and the NFL.

What put the icing on the cake was his 10-completion, 316-yard passing clinic, with an 80-yard touchdown to the late Demaryius Thomas to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round of the AFC Playoffs.

Recently, as the playoffs approached, Tebow reflected on the playoff win and how unique the brotherhood was with that 2011 Denver team in an interview with Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr.: 

“Brotherhood and belief that that team was just a special team that probably wasn’t, in every way, the best team, meaning, did we have all the perfect pieces? Maybe not, but, man, that was a close team, that team that never quit,” said Tebow. “It was a team that, like people throw the word brotherhood a lot like you really feel like it was.

“One of the coolest things is when you watch the touchdown to DT (Demaryius Thomas) to win the game; if you look at the wide copy, you’ll see Champ Bailey, one of the best cornerbacks ever to do it, is on the sideline running almost as fast as DT like, that’s a however, many year vet that invested in overtime.”

Although Tebow did not last long in the NFL, his play with Thomas and the 2011 season will never be forgotten.

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Full list of 30 former Broncos nominated for 2025 Hall of Fame class

The Broncos have 30 former players nominated for the 2025 Hall of Fame class, and Mike Shanahan is expected to be a top coach candidate.

Earlier this week, the NFL announced 19 former Denver Broncos players have been nominated for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class as modern-era candidates.

Those 19 players join a previous list of 11 senior candidate nominees who were announced earlier this month, giving the Broncos 30 total players who have been nominated for next year’s Hall of Fame class. Here are the full lists.

Broncos modern-era HOF candidates

  1. WR Rod Smith
  2. C Tom Nalen
  3. K Jason Elam
  4. G Mark Schlereth
  5. LB Bill Romanowski
  6. DL Neil Smith
  7. WR Demaryius Thomas
  8. CB Aqib Talib
  9. WR Wes Welker
  10. RB Clinton Portis
  11. WR Brandon Marshall
  12. RB Glyn Milburn
  13. CB Dré Bly
  14. TE Vernon Davis
  15. DL Jamal Williams
  16. LB Keith Brooking
  17. RB Jamaal Charles
  18. DL Ted Washington
  19. DL Simeon Rice

Broncos senior HOF candidates

  1. LB/DL Karl Mecklenburg
  2. LB Tom Jackson
  3. DB Dennis Smith
  4. WR Lionel Taylor
  5. WR/R Rick Upchurch
  6. CB Louis Wright
  7. WR Bob Scarpitto
  8. DL Michael Dean Perry
  9. RB Sammy Winder
  10. DL Lyle Alzado
  11. DE Rich Jackson

Former Denver coach Mike Shanahan is also expected to be nominated for the 2025 Hall of Fame class in the coach category.

The Hall of Fame’s selection committee will trim the list of nominees in mid-October before announcing semifinalists and finalists later in the fall. The 2025 class will be announced before Super Bowl LVIX next year.

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Courtland Sutton says Demaryius Thomas ‘earned and deserves’ Hall of Fame nod

Demaryius Thomas “earned and deserves” a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton said.

The NFL announced 167 modern-era nominees for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class on Wednesday, and late former Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is among the first-year nominees.

After Wednesday’s practice, Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton said Thomas took him under his wing and was an “amazing example” who helped shape the way that Sutton carries himself now both on and off the field.

“That’s amazing,” Sutton said of Thomas’ Hall of Fame nomination. “I think that it’s something that he earned. If the committee finds it fitting to vote him into the Hall of Fame, I think that will be something that will be an amazing accomplishment for himself, his family [and] this organization.

“He had an amazing career, something that you all know very well, that I admired. The time that we had together, I treasure dearly and hold close in my heart. It’s something that he definitely, like I said, earned and deserves based upon the numbers, and the things, the accolades that he was able to accumulate over his career.”

Thomas and Sutton were teammates for half of Sutton’s rookie season in 2018 before Denver traded Thomas to the Houston Texans.

A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Thomas helped the Broncos reach two Super Bowls, winning one title. Thomas died from complications of seizure disorder at age 33 in 2021. He totaled 724 receptions for 9,763 receiving yards and 63 touchdowns during his 10-year career in the NFL.

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Rod Smith among 19 former Broncos nominated for Hall of Fame

Rod Smith is one of eight Broncos Super Bowl champions who have been nominated for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced 167 modern-era finalists for the 2025 class. The list includes 19 former Denver Broncos players, including eight Super Bowl champions.

Former Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith headlines the list of players who won Super Bowls with Denver in the late 1990s. He is joined by center Tom Nalen, kicker Jason Elam, guard Mark Schlereth, linebacker Bill Romanowski and defensive lineman Neil Smith.

The Broncos also had two members of their Super Bowl 50 squad — late wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and cornerback Aqib Talib — nominated for the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.

Other players nominated include running backs Clinton Portis and Glyn Milburn, receivers Wes Welker and Brandon Marshall and cornerback Dré Bly. View the full list below.

Broncos Hall of Fame nominees

  1. WR Rod Smith
  2. C Tom Nalen
  3. K Jason Elam
  4. G Mark Schlereth
  5. LB Bill Romanowski
  6. DL Neil Smith
  7. WR Demaryius Thomas
  8. CB Aqib Talib
  9. WR Wes Welker
  10. RB Clinton Portis
  11. WR Brandon Marshall
  12. RB Glyn Milburn
  13. CB Dré Bly
  14. TE Vernon Davis
  15. DL Jamal Williams
  16. LB Keith Brooking
  17. RB Jamaal Charles
  18. DL Ted Washington
  19. DL Simeon Rice

The Broncos also have 11 senior candidates for the 2025 class, and former coach Mike Shanahan is expected to be a top candidate in the coach category. Voters will trim the list down to 20 finalists with 15 modern-era candidates, three senior candidates, one coach and one contributor. The selection committee will meet before Super Bowl LVIX to elect the 2025 class.

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Emmanuel Sanders attends Broncos game with ‘Long Live DT’ jersey

Long Live DT 🧡🏈💙

Emmanuel Sanders is at Empower Field at Mile High as an alumni guest for the Denver Broncos’ game against the Pittsburgh Steelers today.

Sanders went to the game wearing a No. 88 jersey with “LongLiveDT” on the nameplate:

https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1835396062108131593

Sanders (37) was teammates with Thomas in Denver from 2014-2018, helping the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.

Thomas died from complications of seizure disorder at age 33 in 2021. A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, DT hauled in 724 receptions for 9,763 receiving yards and 63 touchdowns during his 10-year career in the NFL.

Demaryius Thomas, Aqib Talib eligible for Hall of Fame next year

Broncos Super Bowl 50 champions Demaryius Thomas and Aqib Talib will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2025.

The 2024 Pro Football Fame class was announced last week, and attention has now turned to which players will be eligible in 2025.

The list of former players with first-year eligibility in 2025 includes late Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and retired cornerback Aqib Talib.

Thomas ranks second in franchise history with 9,055 receiving yards and 60 touchdowns. A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Thomas set a then-record with 13 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XLVIII. Two years later, he won Super Bowl 50. Thomas died at age 33 in 2021.

Talib, 37, totaled 35 interceptions during his 12-year career, including 11 interceptions in four seasons with the Broncos. Talib returned 10 interceptions for touchdowns, the fourth-highest total in NFL history. Six of those pick-sixes happened during his tenure in Denver. A five-time Pro Bowler, Talib also won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos.

Other first-year eligible candidates next year will include quarterback Eli Manning, linebacker Luke Kuechly, pass rusher Terrell Suggs, running back Marshawn Lynch and kicker Adam Vinatieri. The list of eligible players still waiting to get in includes tight end Antonio Gates, pass rusher Jared Allen and receivers Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Steve Smith and Hines Ward.

Broncos legendary linebacker Randy Gradishar will be enshrined as a member of the 2024 class this summer and former coach Mike Shanahan should be a top candidate to get in as coach/contributor next year. Thirteen players who spent multiple seasons in Denver have reached the Hall of Fame. Thomas and Talib will hope to join them in 2025.

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WATCH: DeMarcus Ware’s full Hall of Fame speech

DeMarcus Ware honored late teammates Demaryius Thomas, Ronnie Hillman and Marion Barber during his Hall of Fame speech.

Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 champion DeMarcus Ware was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Saturday evening.

If you missed the ceremony, you can watch Ware’s complete, 17-minute Hall of Fame speech in the above video.

During his speech, Ware honored late teammates Demaryius Thomas, Ronnie Hillman and Marion Barber. Thomas, who won Super Bowl 50 with Ware, died of a seizure at age 33 in 2021. Hillman, another member of that championship team, died of renal medullary carcinoma at age 31 last December. Barber, who played with Ware with the Dallas Cowboys, died of heat stroke at age 38 last year.

“I held some seats for you guys here today,” Ware said. “Keep resting in peace fellas.”

Peyton Manning and Von Miller were in attendance to watch Ware’s enshrinement ceremony, joined by Super Bowl 50 teammates including Brandon McManus and Brock Osweiler. Denver’s former defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, was also in attendance.

Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson win Emmy award for 2022 schedule release video

The Broncos won four Emmy awards from the National Academy of Televisions Arts & Sciences Heartland Chapter earlier this week.

The Denver Broncos were the recipients of four Emmy awards from the National Academy of Televisions Arts & Sciences Heartland Chapter in the digital and broadcast content category earlier this week.

Here is a list of the awards and productions that won these prestigious awards.

Entertainment – Short Form Content-2022 NFL schedule release video

The 2022 schedule release video was the second of Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning’s three appearances (to date). In the video, Manning trains the new “intern,” now-quarterback Russell Wilson. Fellow Hall of Famer John Elway and former head coach Nathaniel Hackett also cameoed in the production.

Sports: One-Time Special-Demaryius Thomas: The Heart of a Legend

Late Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas was honored by the franchise with a documentary featuring former teammates and his place in the record books of Denver history.

Sports Promotion: Single Spot-Brand Anthem

In preparation for the beginning of the season, the Broncos made a 90-second hype video for fans to get excited. Unfortunately, the team performed worse than the video did, finishing with a dismal 5-12 record.

Program Promotion: Single Spot-Steve Atwater: The Road to Canton

As part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2020, the Broncos honored former safety Steve Atwater with a first-person perspective of his career. From the draft to receiving a gold jacket, the Denver media team scored a touchdown with this production.

The off-field accolades are well-deserved. Now Broncos fans will hope to see the team compete for on-field awards this season.

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Broncos fans rooting for Miami’s Jimmy Butler, friend of the late Demaryius Thomas

We’d love to see the Nuggets win the NBA Finals, but we’re also rooting for Jimmy Butler, a good friend of late Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas.

The Denver Nuggets fell to the Miami Heat 111-108 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena on Sunday evening. The series is now tied 1-1 going into Wednesday’s game in Miami.

While most Denver Broncos fans are also fans of the Nuggets, many Broncos fans are rooting for Heat small forward Jimmy Butler, a good friend of late Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.

Before the NBA Finals started, Brandon Krisztal of KOA Radio asked Butler about his friendship with Thomas and playing in the Finals against Denver.

“That’s my guy, my brother forever,” Butler said last week. “I miss him so much. I spent so much time here with him, watching him be great. He motivated me, because his story is really, really incredible through everything that he’s been through to make it and do what he did for the Broncos. I actually have a lot of love for this city. I miss that guy.

“I wish he was here to sit courtside and watch me do my thing, because we talked about this all the time. Maybe not Denver vs. my team, but just being able to watch me win a championship like he did.”

Butler scored 21 points while adding nine assists and four rebounds on Sunday.

While we’re rooting for the Nuggets to win the series, we’re also supporting Butler.

Demaryius Thomas elected to Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame

After being added to Colorado’s Hall of Fame and Georgia Tech’s HOF, the Broncos’ Ring of Fame is up next for the late Demaryius Thomas.

After being posthumously inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame last month, late Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has now been elected to the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame as part of a six-person class.

“It is with great pride that we announce the newest elected members of the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame,” Yellow Jackets director of athletics J Batt said in a press release. “These six individuals not only represented Georgia Tech with great honor and distinction here on The Flats, but went on to do so in their lives beyond Tech as well.”

Thomas spent most of his 10-year career with the Broncos (eight and a half seasons.) In his ten years, Thomas nabbed four Pro Bowls, two All-Pro selections and a Super Bowl title, all as a member of the Broncos.

Thomas enjoyed a stellar career as a Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket, nabbing 120 receptions,  2,339 yards and fifteen touchdowns in three seasons.

Thomas passed away just sixteen days shy of his 34th birthday in 2021. After being added to Colorado’s and Georgia Tech’s Halls of Fame, Thomas will undoubtedly join the Broncos’ Ring of Fame next. He will be eligible for the club’s Ring of Fame in 2024 or 2026 (Thomas last played in 2019 but officially retired in 2021).

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