Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, one of the best receivers in the National Football League, was found dead in a Georgia hotel room, his agent confirmed Thursday. His agent, Jimmy Sexton, said that Mr. Thomas was alone, and that it appears he died from an apparent suicide.
Details about how Mr. Thomas died remain unclear, but multiple outlets reported that Mr. Thomas had called his wife at about 1:30 a.m. after he apparently shot himself.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Atlanta police said he had a gun with him.
My heart is heavy right now. One of the greatest memories I will have of Demaryius is him holding my kid’s hand at the 2016 Pro Bowl. Rest In Peace My Brother, Always. #DemaryiusThomas pic.twitter.com/kOiK22w1L9 — John Elway (@johnelway) June 14, 2018
Mr. Thomas was reported to be returning to Atlanta from Florida after attending his son’s football practice.
His death comes months after he reported that his 5-year-old son, Demaryius V, suffered a brain injury that he attributed to a broken bone in his head last season, and that he feared his son may never walk.
When Mr. Thomas made a public plea for help in April to find out what had happened to his son, he said he had learned the diagnosis of Devonshire syndrome after the incident last season. He said the condition meant that there was a “high probability” that his son had no ability to walk.
Mr. Thomas played 13 seasons in the NFL, the last seven of which were with the Broncos. He had been traded in December, and was a free agent when he died.