America in shock. The star who went down in the history of football is dead. He was 33 years old

Shock and disbelief – these two words can describe how America reacted to the death of Demaryius Thomas. Until recently, fans of the most-watched league in the world admired his game, and on Thursday night they found out that he was dead.

Thomas’s death was reported by police officers from Roswell, Georgia. The former football player was found dead at his home, according to a police statement. According to preliminary findings, the death of the 33-year-old American was for “medical reasons”. Quoted by the AP news agency, Thomas’ sister said he had died of some type of sudden attack. Details were not given.

The death of Thomas plunged America into mourning, where football is the number one sport, distancing all other sports. Suffice it to say that in recent years, out of the hundred most watched television programs in the US each year, more than 80 are NFL matches.

He was a better man than a player, and yet the player was an outstanding player

Words of regret and disbelief are flowing everywhere that the star died at such a young age.

We are devastated and despairing at the sudden, tragic death of Demaryius Thomas. DT was loved by our entire club, teammates, coaches and fans

– wrote the Denver Broncos in a statement. Thomas was associated with this club for most of his career. In it he achieved the greatest success and officially ended his career there six months ago – on June 28. The Broncos call him “one of the greatest fighters in history”. And they add: “His humility, warm attitude towards people, kindness and contagious smile will remain in the memory of those who knew and loved him.”

Peyton Manning, one of the greatest players in NFL history who has played with Thomas for four seasons, wrote:

DT was an even better man than a player, and yet he was a player who deserves a place in the Hall of Fame. It shows how good the man was. He treated my children as if he were his own. He has been to every charity meeting that his teammates have organized … I’m absolutely devastated

Demaryius Thomas is the winner of the Super Bowl and the record holder of the final

Fans and journalists share their memories of Thomas on social media. Ryan Greene of the CBS regional office wrote: “This is my absolute favorite DT clip that I recorded. That was Demaryius. What a painful loss.”

Thomas was selected out of No.22 in the first draft round by the Denver Broncos in 2010, and he has spent almost his entire professional career with this team. He was selected five times for the Match of the Stars. His career peaked in 2012-17, when he was one of the best players in his position. He has played in the Super Bowl twice. He once became the champion, but even in this losing final, he went down in history. In Super Bowl 48, in which the Broncos succumbed to Seatle Seahawks 8:43, Thomas set the record for the number of passes caught with 13 passes and 118 yards scored. After the game, Broncos general manager John Elway said: “If we all played like him, we would win.”

Two years later, the Broncos won the Super Bowl by defeating the Carolina Panthers. Thomas became the champion, but something more happened that day. His triumph was applauded from the stands by his mother, with whom he had met shortly before, after 16 years of blindness. The player’s mother, Katina Smith, and his grandmother Minnie Pearl Thomas were convicted of drug trafficking in 2000. The first was sentenced to 20 years, the second to life imprisonment. Demaryius was raised by his uncle and aunt. Smith was released from prison in November 2015 following President Barack Obama’s amnesty. She met her son in January of the following year.

An action that fans will remember forever

One touchdown by Thomas was most remembered by the fans. It’s from 2012, when the Broncos sensationally beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first play-off round. The decisive action of the 80-yard action of the match was started by Tim Tebow with a pass to Thomas, who ran to the rivals’ end zone, settling the match in the 10th second of extra time.