When trying to put into words how much the late, great Demaryius Thomas meant to the Denver Broncos, the only words that can summarize it is the ultimate Bronco. The legendary Denver wide receiver’s legacy continues to live on after being selected to the team’s Ring of Fame.

Demaryius Thomas selected to Denver Broncos Ring of Fame

While the Denver Broncos veterans and rookies reported for the first day of OTAs on Tuesday, the news of the day was the announcement of Demaryius Thomas being selected to the team’s Ring of Fame.

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The Broncos’ team Twitter account summarized it perfectly, calling him the ‘ultimate Bronco.’ He was that and so much more.

Great teammate, great human being, a reliable friend, and selfless — all of these things reflected on who Thomas was on and off the field. In his first year of being eligible for the Ring of Fame, it’s not a surprise that he was an easy selection in his first year of eligibility.

Before I share any stats and numbers that touch on the impact he had on the field, I want to share an observation that this young beat reporter first experienced covering the Broncos and the NFL.

It was at training camp following the 2018 NFL Draft that the Broncos had added two younger wide receivers — Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton. Usually, in the football world, from a business standpoint, seeing players drafted at that position is sometimes an indicator to the veteran players that the team is looking to get younger.

While that may have been true for the Broncos, who eventually traded Thomas to the Houston Texans during the 2018 season, Demaryius never let that possibility impact how he approached coming into the season or how he mentored the younger guys.

During individual drills during that camp, Thomas took time after he conducted reps on whatever drill, route tree the team was working on, and mentored guys like Sutton, Hamilton, Tim Patrick, and Isaiah McKenzie — showing them little tips and tricks that he used to have the success he had in the NFL.

There was never any ego involved with Thomas, and his selflessness and dedication to perfecting his craft and being a great teammate are something that epitomize what he believed it meant to be a Denver Bronco. Now, Sutton does those exact things for the younger receivers that are currently on the team.

His tragic passing in December of 2021 is something that rattled the hearts of the NFL world and Broncos Country, but his legacy will continue to live on strongly with his induction into the Ring of Fame. Local media also created an award, the Demaryius Thomas Team MVP award, recognizing the player who not only has the greatest impact on the field, but also away from it.

Justin Simmons won it in 2021, and Patrick Surtain II has won the award for three straight years since it was created.

Thomas ranks second in Broncos franchise history in yards (9,055), touchdowns (60), and third in catches (665). From his early impact with Tim Tebow to his explosive emergence with Peyton Manning, Thomas became one of the best wide receivers in the NFL over the course of his eight-year career.

Now, he’ll legacy will continue to be a big part of the Broncos Ring of Fame tradition forever.

Here’s 33 minutes of Demaryius Thomas highlights, courtesy of the NFL.