Demaryius Thomas Dead at 33: Tom Brady, Eric Decker and More Celebrities React

Credit: Jack Dempsey/AP/Shutterstock

Demaryius Thomas Dead at 33: Tom Brady, Eric Decker and More Celebrities React

Following the news that Demaryius Thomas passed away at the age of 33, his former teammates and loved ones are honoring the former Super Bowl champion. Thomas was found dead in his Roswell, Georgia, home following a medical issue, according to police officials, per CNN. His first cousin LaTonya Bonseigneur addressed her family member's unexpected death on Friday, December 10. “He had been suffering from seizures for over a year, and we believe he had a seizure when he was showering,” Bonseigneur told the Associated Press. “We’re not sure when he died. We just spoke with him yesterday. 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.” After the news of the former Denver Broncos player's death made headlines, the team released a statement. “We are devastated and completely heartbroken by the sudden, tragic passing of Demaryius Thomas,” a statement from the Denver Broncos read. “D.T. was beloved by our entire organization, his teammates and coaches and our fans. Recently retiring as a Bronco, we were very music looking forward to celebrating Demaryius for years to come as one of the greatest players in franchise history.” [jwplayer NIknqCXt-zhNYySv2] The statement continued: “We have lost an incredible player and a special person in Demaryius Thomas. Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the Thomas family and all who are grieving this unimaginable loss. … Demaryius' humility, warmth, kindness and infectious smile will always be remembered by those who knew him and loved him.” Peyton Manning also reflected on the time he spent with his former teammate, sharing in a statement through the Denver Broncos chief communications officer, “D.T. was a better person than he was a player, and he was a Hall of Fame player. That tells you how good of a person he was.” Thomas, who originally played college football before spending 10 years in the NFL, announced his retirement from the sport earlier this year. "It was a tough decision, a real tough decision," the Georgia native said via a statement in June. "Always as a kid or always when I did something, it was always [giving] my best to go and go and go. And football was my go. Every year I tried to get better and better, and I knew I was aging, of course. It was something tough, but I'm grateful I did 10, 11 years. I'm so grateful for that and now I can move on. I'm happy, I'm healthy. And now I can try to find my next itch.” Scroll down to see the tributes following Thomas' death: [podcast_block]

Credit: Jack Dempsey/AP/Shutterstock

Demaryius Thomas Dead at 33: Tom Brady, Eric Decker and More Celebrities React

Following the news that Demaryius Thomas passed away at the age of 33, his former teammates and loved ones are honoring the former Super Bowl champion. Thomas was found dead in his Roswell, Georgia, home following a medical issue, according to police officials, per CNN. His first cousin LaTonya Bonseigneur addressed her family member's unexpected death on Friday, December 10. “He had been suffering from seizures for over a year, and we believe he had a seizure when he was showering,” Bonseigneur told the Associated Press. “We’re not sure when he died. We just spoke with him yesterday. 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.” After the news of the former Denver Broncos player's death made headlines, the team released a statement. “We are devastated and completely heartbroken by the sudden, tragic passing of Demaryius Thomas,” a statement from the Denver Broncos read. “D.T. was beloved by our entire organization, his teammates and coaches and our fans. Recently retiring as a Bronco, we were very music looking forward to celebrating Demaryius for years to come as one of the greatest players in franchise history.” [jwplayer NIknqCXt-zhNYySv2] The statement continued: “We have lost an incredible player and a special person in Demaryius Thomas. Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the Thomas family and all who are grieving this unimaginable loss. … Demaryius' humility, warmth, kindness and infectious smile will always be remembered by those who knew him and loved him.” Peyton Manning also reflected on the time he spent with his former teammate, sharing in a statement through the Denver Broncos chief communications officer, “D.T. was a better person than he was a player, and he was a Hall of Fame player. That tells you how good of a person he was.” Thomas, who originally played college football before spending 10 years in the NFL, announced his retirement from the sport earlier this year. "It was a tough decision, a real tough decision," the Georgia native said via a statement in June. "Always as a kid or always when I did something, it was always [giving] my best to go and go and go. And football was my go. Every year I tried to get better and better, and I knew I was aging, of course. It was something tough, but I'm grateful I did 10, 11 years. I'm so grateful for that and now I can move on. I'm happy, I'm healthy. And now I can try to find my next itch.” Scroll down to see the tributes following Thomas' death: [podcast_block]

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Tom Brady

“I'm so sad to wake up this morning to hear about the passing of my friend Demaryius Thomas,” Brady, who played with Thomas on the New England Patriots, tweeted alongside a selfie of the pair. “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. RIP.”

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Tim Tebow

The former football player tweeted, “Woke up and saw the really devastating news about my teammate and friend, Demaryius Thomas. So many are going to remember him for his athletic ability… but I’ll be remembering him for his kindness, his smile that would light up a room, and the love he had for those in his life.”

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Eric Decker

Thomas' former teammate on the Broncos posted a gallery of Instagram photos, writing, “Demaryius, I love you! I can’t believe it, I don’t want to believe it. RIP 💔🙏🏽."

Decker, who appeared with Thomas on his reality series Eric & Jessie: Game On in 2014, recalled their first meeting.

"We met in Arizona pre-NFL draft 2010. I was enamored by his presence. Not many 20 year olds built like him. I was rehabbing from a major foot surgery and was struggling with it. Felt alone and weak," he added. "Demaryius unfortunately suffered a Jones fracture halfway through his training (not long after he arrived). He had surgery and found himself next to me rehabbing every day. We instantly bonded over it. Leaned on one another to stay the course — and the same with other shortcomings in our lives. He was the brother I always wanted. … He was my roommate, confidant, Batman to my robin, record-setting teammate."

The Minnesota native concluded: "We shared many travels together, he was in my wedding, held my babies and was always in my corner. His smile was infectious- transformed a room when he arrived. His heart was gold! He brought joy all our lives. I am forever grateful to have Demaryius in my life. He is truly one of a kind and will forever be missed 🙏🏽.”

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Jessie James Decker

Eric's wife, Jessie, posted her own tribute to their longtime friend via Instagram, writing, "When we got the call last night I dropped to my knees and I couldn’t believe it. I don’t think I’ve ever cried so hard in my life and the tears just won’t stop. I’ve never seen Eric like this before, his heart is in pieces."

The singer explained that the late football player became "family" to them over the years.

"The relationship he and Eric had was beautiful and special. His heart, his infectious smile, his kindness, his soul. Eric and Demaryius were truly like brothers and anyone that was around them could feel how special their friendship was together on and off the field," she noted. "I don’t know if we will ever truly heal from this one. I will cherish the beautiful memories we all had together in Denver and I know he will be looking down on all of us from heaven. Demaryius was a man of faith which is why he would quote almost every single day 'Thank God for another day'."

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DeMarcus Ware

Ware posted a photo of him with the late athlete on Twitter, writing, "Heartbroken 💔."

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Garett Bolles

Bolles expressed how "heartbroken" he was about the news on Twitter, later adding, "It was an honor to play with you. Thank you for always believing in me! Rest easy my brother."

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Tyler Polumbus

"DT sat with my son son [sic] the entire plane ride home from Super Bowl, held him on his lap on Bus, carried him and hoisted him on fire truck during the parade and celebrated with him as if his own kid. I hope my son remembers 88," Polumbus wrote alongside several photos of his son with Thomas via Twitter.

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Joel Dreessen

"I learned so much from this man…one of the most powerful & graceful & smooth athletes I’ve ever been around…and then he was funny & smart & awesome to be around too…I am in tears…I love ya, DT! 🙏💔😢," Dreessen tweeted.

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Peyton Manning

Patrick Smyth, the Denver Broncos chief communications officer, released a statement on behalf of Manning, “D.T. was a better person than he was a player, and he was a Hall of Fame player. That tells you how good of a person he was.”

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Derek Wolfe

Wolfe responded to the news, tweeting, "Rest easy my brother. Hurt."