Broncos honor Demaryius Thomas with 10 players for first play

The Broncos wore No. 88 stickers on their helmets on Sunday to honor former Denver receiver Demaryius Thomas. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos honor Demaryius Thomas with 10 players on the field for first play

By Adam Stites | Last updated 12/12/21

The Denver Broncos paid tribute to late wide receiver Demaryius Thomas by sending only 10 players out for the first play from scrimmage in a Week 14 game against the Detroit Lions.

News of Thomas' death broke late Thursday night, and the Broncos confirmed the reports shortly thereafter with a statement. Denver got a delay of game penalty with 10 men on the field, and the Lions opted to decline the penalty.

8️⃣8️⃣ #LLDT pic.twitter.com/Y2U4MgUpQ1
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 12, 2021

Thomas was a first-round pick for the Broncos in 2010 and earned four trips to the Pro Bowl with Denver before he was traded to the Houston Texans during the 2018 season. After brief stints with the Texans, New England Patriots and New York Jets, Thomas retired in June 2021. He's second in Broncos franchise history in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

According to Thomas' cousin, the receiver had been struggling with seizures, and his family believes that was the cause of his death. Thomas was set to turn 34 on Christmas Day.

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