D.T.'s mom, Katina Smith, is here for his @COSportsHoF induction. 🧡#LLDT 🕊 pic.twitter.com/C8jQ0I2I8k
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 27, 2023
Demaryius Thomas was posthumously inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday evening.
Thomas, who died from complications of seizure disorder at age 33 in 2021, played wide receiver for the Denver Broncos from 2010-2018, helping the team win Super Bowl 50 in 2015.
Peyton Manning, a former quarterback who played with Thomas from 2012-2015, announced two scholarships in DT’s honor last year, one for Georgia Tech students and one for Colorado high school athletes.
The first Colorado scholarship, the “18 to 88” scholarship, was presented to Swink High School’s Ben Miner on Wednesday.
“I’m so proud of what Ben has overcome in his life — just like Demaryius — to become a beacon for others. … Demaryius would be so proud of you, Ben.”
Peyton Manning awards the inaugural 18-to-88 scholarship to Ben Miner from Swink High School: pic.twitter.com/FJxDnXCyLh
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 27, 2023
“Tonight we honored my late friend and teammate Demaryius Thomas who was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame,” Manning wrote on his Instagram page after the event. “Like Demaryius, Ben Miner, the recipient of this year’s 18-88 scholarship, has overcome adversity throughout his life and is someone who D.T. would be very proud of. #LLDT”
Following his induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, Thomas will undoubtedly be added to the Broncos’ Ring of Fame next. The late receiver caught 724 passes for 9,763 yards and 63 touchdowns in 10 seasons (143 games) in the NFL. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, two-time second-team All-Pro and a Super Bowl champion.
