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.
