Cardinals, NFL mourn WR Thomas’ death
Retired star believed to have had medical issue
The NFL community is reeling from the death of retired five-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
News about Thomas’ passing came after the Minnesota Vikings beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-28 on Thursday night.
He was found dead in his Roswell, Georgia, home, according to news reports. Preliminary information from that city’s police department indicate Thomas’ death stemmed from a medical issue. One family member told the Associated Press they believe he died from a seizure, something he had been dealing with over the past year.
Thomas would have turned 34 on Christmas Day. He spent nine of his 10 seasons with the Denver Broncos, 201018, and won Super Bowl 50 with the team in 2016. The former first-round pick out of Georgia Tech also played brief stints with the Houston Texans, New England Patriots and New York Jets from 2018-19 before he retired this June.
Cardinals defensive coordinator and former Broncos head coach Vance Joseph, who coached Thomas from 2017-18, eulogized him to reporters on Friday. Joseph spoke about how his wife and children knew Thomas as “great leader” and “soft-spoken” person, charitable giver reluctant for recognition, and Thomas’ family strong bond with his mother and grandmother.
“How he treated me and his teammates in Denver was excellent,” Joseph said. “You rarely meet people in this business who are just excellent people and he was one of them. It’s just sad and was just so young. It shouldn’t happen this way, a guy that fit and that young losing his life that early.”
In addition, Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins and J.J. Watt tweeted about Thomas’ loss on Friday morning. Hopkins and Watt were his former Texans teammates for one season in 2018.
“Way way too young. The first image of DT that pops in my head will always be that smile and positive energy. Rest In Peace brother,” Watt said, adding a prayer emoji.
“Love you forever brother!! This one hurt deep,” Hopkins said with a photo of them in a game together.
Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and WR Calvin Johnson, as well as other former teammates and members of the Broncos’ organization including DeMarcus Ware, Tim Tebow, Brandon Marshall and John Elway, paid their respects in statements and on social media about the impact of Thomas’ loss.
The Broncos said they were “devastated and completely heartbroken” at the death of one of their greatest players, who helped lead them to a pair of Super Bowls and a championship during the 2015 season.
His contributions to the Denver community went beyond the playing field, the team said, noting his work with the Broncos Boys and Girls Club, hospital visits, and his annual football camp.
“We were very much looking forward to celebrating Demaryius for years to come as one of the greatest players in franchise history,” the team said in a statement. “Demaryius’ humility, warmth, kindness and infectious smile will always be remembered by those who knew him and loved him.”
Said Tebow: “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.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bidwill hands Beachum ‘Man of the Year’ trophy
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill made his first appearance in a team media conference this season to present their starting right tackle Kelvin Beachum with the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award on Friday.
The league’s humanitarian award was announced on Tuesday, and Bidwill originally handed the trophy to Beachum in front of his teammates after their Thursday practices on Thursday.
Beachum will be among 17 Cardinals players this month participating in the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats to give recognition to their favorite charity. Beachum will have Phoenix Art Museum designed on his cleats.
Beachum was recognized for his work with local food banks, his STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) initiative with local teachers and putting computers in schools, emphasis on the arts, work Lowe’s home improvement, and more.
“You structure your life the way you want to,” Beachum said about his tireless work ethic in the community and with the Cardinals. “Everything I do is with family in mind. Most of the time, if I’m volunteering, my kids are coming with me, my wife is going with me. That’s time for us to be able to bond and to grow together.”
Bidwill on their 10-2 record
Bidwill had plenty more reasons for his bright smile in Friday’s press conference.
Beachum getting the Payton Man of the Year was the second individual award for the Cardinals this week after Jordan Hicks was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday.
Two others are the Cardinals (10-2) have the league’s top record, and began selling playoff tickets for the first time in six years on Wednesday.
Before Beachum spoke about his charity, Bidwill spoke about the Cardinals’ success.
“I think, like the players and coaches, we’re taking it one game at a time,” Bidwill said. “I’m really proud of the way the team’s come together. They’re playing great. We hope to have another great performance Monday night,” Bidwell said. “We got a great week of practice. It’s great to get the injured players back and it’s exciting.”
Injury report
Cardinals defensive lineman Zach Kerr did not participate in practice on Friday. Left guard Justin Pugh (calf), cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (foot), tight end Zach Ertz (shoulder) and running back Jonathan Ward (illness) were limited.
Rams who did not practice were offensive lineman Brian Allen (knee), CB Robert Rochell (chest), outside linebackers Terrell Lewis (back) and Von Miller (personal). Running back Darrell Henderson (thigh) was limited. Their wide receiver Cooper Kupp (toe) and OL David Edwards (foot) practiced in full.