PHOTOS: What to know about Texans' newest addition Demaryius Thomas
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on as he walks off the field after his team warms up prior to the start of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
>>>Here's everything you need to know about new Texans wide receiver Demaryius Thomas ... less
PHOTOS: What to know about Texans' newest addition Demaryius Thomas
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on as he walks off the field after his team warms up prior to the ... more
Photo: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Current contract
Thomas has one more year left on his contract (five years, $70 million) with him scheduled to earn $14 million next season. However, the Texans can cut him after this season, and nothing will go against their salary cap. It is much more likely that the Texans will try to renegotiate Thomas’ contract to keep him around longer. less
Current contract
Thomas has one more year left on his contract (five years, $70 million) with him scheduled to earn $14 million next season. However, the Texans can cut him after this season, and nothing will ... more
Photo: Joe Mahoney, Associated Press
Rough childhood
When Thomas was a child, police raided the house and his mother and grandmother were both arrested on cocaine distribution allegations. Thomas’ mother Katina Smith (left) was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while his grandmother Minnie Pearl Thomas got life as a three-time offender. Thomas grew up with his aunt and uncle. less
Rough childhood
When Thomas was a child, police raided the house and his mother and grandmother were both arrested on cocaine distribution allegations. Thomas’ mother Katina Smith (left) was sentenced to 20 ... more
Photo: AAron Ontiveroz/Denver Post Via Getty Images
Connection to Obama
In 2015, Barack Obama commuted the sentence of Thomas’ mother Katina Smith. She was released in November and got to see Thomas play for the first time on Jan. 17, 2016 – a first-round playoff win over the Steelers. President Obama commuted the life sentence of Thomas’ grandmother Minnie Pearl Thomas in 2016. less
Connection to Obama
In 2015, Barack Obama commuted the sentence of Thomas’ mother Katina Smith. She was released in November and got to see Thomas play for the first time on Jan. 17, 2016 – a first-round ... more
Photo: Instagram.com/demaryiusthomas
Drops
Thomas has been in the top 10 in drops in each of the past six seasons. He ranks second this season with six. Only the Ravens' Michael Crabtree has more drops this season.
Drops
Thomas has been in the top 10 in drops in each of the past six seasons. He ranks second this season with six. Only the Ravens' Michael Crabtree has more drops this season.
Photo: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
Close to a Denver family
Drake Durkee, who was a huge fan of Thomas, died in a rafting accident in 2015. The family reached out to Thomas, who became a close friend and supporter of the family. He has spread the word of Drake and his foundation by wearing a wristband in honor of Drake and a T-shirt for Drake’s foundation. Here’s a Twitter thread about that connection. less
Close to a Denver family
Drake Durkee, who was a huge fan of Thomas, died in a rafting accident in 2015. The family reached out to Thomas, who became a close friend and supporter of the family. He has spread ... more
Photo: John Leyba/Denver Post Via Getty Images
Close friend of Jimmy Butler
Thomas is such a close friend with Tomball native and NBA star Jimmy Butler, they took a vacation to Greece together this summer. The two became friends after Butler read a story about Thomas in ESPN the Magazine. Butler reached out after that and they have been close ever since. less
Close friend of Jimmy Butler
Thomas is such a close friend with Tomball native and NBA star Jimmy Butler, they took a vacation to Greece together this summer. The two became friends after Butler read a story ... more
Photo: Instagram.com/demaryiusthomas
What Broncos GM John Elway said
“We got the value that we thought was fair, and that was the most important thing. It’s never easy when you trade a guy that’s been a household name here for a long time and done a lot of great things, not only on the football field but also in the community and was a good man. Plus, it’s a good spot for Demaryius. He’s going to a good football team that’s in a pennant race where he’s going.” less
What Broncos GM John Elway said
“We got the value that we thought was fair, and that was the most important thing. It’s never easy when you trade a guy that’s been a household name here for a long time ... more
Photo: AAron Ontiveroz/Denver Post Via Getty Images
Jersey Number
Thomas has worn No. 88 throughout his NFL career, but he'll wear 87 with the Texans. Rookie tight end Jordan Akins has been 88 all season with the Texans and the NFL won't let players switch jersey numbers after they've played 30 percent of the season. less
Jersey Number
Thomas has worn No. 88 throughout his NFL career, but he'll wear 87 with the Texans. Rookie tight end Jordan Akins has been 88 all season with the Texans and the NFL won't let players switch ... more
Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer
Jersey Number
Thomas has worn No. 88 throughout his NFL career. That number currently belongs to rookie tight end Jordan Akins, who might be willing to give up the number to the veteran. Thomas wore No. 8 in college at Georgia Tech. less
Jersey Number
Thomas has worn No. 88 throughout his NFL career. That number currently belongs to rookie tight end Jordan Akins, who might be willing to give up the number to the veteran. Thomas wore No. 8 in ... more
Photo: Associated Press
Teammates love himIt's hard to find a teammate that has anything bad to say about Thomas. Several players took to social media to express their appreciation to Thomas after the trade was announced, including this Instagram post from fellow receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
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Teammates love him
It's hard to find a teammate that has anything bad to say about Thomas. Several players took to social media to express their appreciation to Thomas after the trade was announced, including ... more
Photo: Instagram.com/emmanuelsanders
Active in the community
Thomas spent a lot of time at Children’s Hospital Colorado and was a frequent part of Broncos’ Make-A-Wish visits and hung out at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club. According to the Broncos, Thomas made a lot of these visits with one request – no media coverage. Last Christmas, Thomas dressed as Santa Claus at the Boys & Grils Club’s holiday party. less
Active in the community
Thomas spent a lot of time at Children’s Hospital Colorado and was a frequent part of Broncos’ Make-A-Wish visits and hung out at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club. According ... more
Photo: Joe Amon/Denver Post Via Getty Images
Consistent
Thomas had five straight seasons (2012-16) with at least 90 catches and 1,000 yards. That streak ended last season when he finished with 83 receptions for 949 yards.
Consistent
Thomas had five straight seasons (2012-16) with at least 90 catches and 1,000 yards. That streak ended last season when he finished with 83 receptions for 949 yards.
Photo: Jack Dempsey, Associated Press
Huge NBA fan
Thomas helped the Nuggets recruit Paul Millsap to Denver during the 2017 offseason and had been trying to do the same with his good friend Jimmy Butler. He frequently sat courtside for Nuggets games. less
Huge NBA fan
Thomas helped the Nuggets recruit Paul Millsap to Denver during the 2017 offseason and had been trying to do the same with his good friend Jimmy Butler. He frequently sat courtside for Nuggets ... more
Photo: Instagram.com/demaryiusthomas
Tribute in DenverThe Broncos already released a
video tribute to Thomas on their web site. There also are reports that the Broncos will give him some sort of tribute when the Texans play in Denver on Sunday.
Tribute in Denver
The Broncos already released a
video tribute to Thomas on their web site. There also are reports that the Broncos will give him some sort of tribute when the Texans play in Denver on Sunday.
Photo: Rob Tringali/Getty Images
Postseason experience
Thomas has played in 10 playoff games, including two Super Bowls. He had 13 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos’ loss to the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII. He has 53 catches for 759 yards and six touchdowns in his 10 career playoff games. less
Postseason experience
Thomas has played in 10 playoff games, including two Super Bowls. He had 13 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos’ loss to the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII. He has 53 ... more
Photo: John Leyba/Denver Post Via Getty Images
Big play against Pittsburgh
Thomas’ most famous play came in his second season when Tim Tebow and the Broncos beat the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs. The Broncos won when Tebow hooked up with Thomas on an 80-yard touchdown in overtime. It is still the longest playoff overtime touchdown in NFL history and the shortest overtime (10 seconds) in NFL history. less
Big play against Pittsburgh
Thomas’ most famous play came in his second season when Tim Tebow and the Broncos beat the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs. The Broncos won when Tebow hooked up with ... more
Photo: Joe Mahoney, AP
2010 NFL Draft
Thomas entered the draft after his redshirt junior season at Georgia Tech, but he broke his foot and couldn’t participate in drills at the NFL Combine. He still was taken at No. 22 overall, making him the first receiver taken, two spots before the Cowboys took Dez Bryant. The Texans took cornerback Kareem Jackson in that draft, two spots before the Broncos took Thomas. less
2010 NFL Draft
Thomas entered the draft after his redshirt junior season at Georgia Tech, but he broke his foot and couldn’t participate in drills at the NFL Combine. He still was taken at No. 22 overall, ... more
Photo: Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images
Why the Broncos dealt him
The Broncos have lost five of their last six games and have first-round pick Courtland Sutton emerging at receiver to replace Thomas.
Why the Broncos dealt him
The Broncos have lost five of their last six games and have first-round pick Courtland Sutton emerging at receiver to replace Thomas.
Photo: Jack Dempsey, Associated Press
Veteran
Thomas is 30 years old and will turn 31 on Christmas Day. That makes him the sixth-oldest player on the Texans roster. The only Texans older than Thomas are: Brandon Weeden (35), Johnathan Joseph (34), Jon Weeks (32), Shareece Wright (31) and Joe Webb III (31). less
Veteran
Thomas is 30 years old and will turn 31 on Christmas Day. That makes him the sixth-oldest player on the Texans roster. The only Texans older than Thomas are: Brandon Weeden (35), Johnathan Joseph (34), ... more
Photo: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images
Took a knee with several of his teammates
On the week when President Donald Trump referred to NFL players who took a knee during the National Anthem as “son of a b----,” Thomas along with 31 of his teammates took a knee during the anthem on Sept. 24, 2017. Thomas also has stayed in the tunnel during the anthem for games this season. After he stayed in the tunnel during the anthem in a preseason game, he told The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, “I don’t think it was a right or wrong time. It’s what I was going to do. It’s what I feel passionate about. People bash me about playing football. They talk about my game and it’s what I do every day. It is what it is. I don’t pay attention to it. I don’t pay attention to social media and TV and all that stuff.” less
Took a knee with several of his teammates
On the week when President Donald Trump referred to NFL players who took a knee during the National Anthem as “son of a b----,” Thomas along with 31 of his ... more
Photo: John Leyba/Denver Post Via Getty Images
Durable
Thomas has played in 115 consecutive games, which ranks fourth in the NFL among non-quarterbacks. He’s also started in 109 straight games.
Durable
Thomas has played in 115 consecutive games, which ranks fourth in the NFL among non-quarterbacks. He’s also started in 109 straight games.
Photo: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images
Where he would rank with Texans
Thomas’ 665 receptions, 9,055 yards and 60 touchdowns with the Broncos are third, second and second – respectively - among the Broncos’ all-time leaders. All those numbers would rank second on the Texans’ all-time lists behind only Andre Johnson. less
Where he would rank with Texans
Thomas’ 665 receptions, 9,055 yards and 60 touchdowns with the Broncos are third, second and second – respectively - among the Broncos’ all-time leaders. All those numbers ... more
Photo: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
Beginnings
Thomas grew up in Laurens County, Ga., about 130 miles south of Atlanta. He was a star football player and sprinter at West Laurens High School before attending Georgia Tech.
Beginnings
Thomas grew up in Laurens County, Ga., about 130 miles south of Atlanta. He was a star football player and sprinter at West Laurens High School before attending Georgia Tech.
Photo: John Amis, AP