Broncos, fans honor late receiver Thomas
The stands at Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions were filled with No. 88 jerseys to honor former Broncos star Demaryius Thomas.
Thomas, a four-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl champion with Denver, died Thursday night in his suburban Atlanta home at the age of 33.
Kicker Brandon McManus was one of several Broncos players who arrived at the game wearing a No. 88 jersey. McManus also showed off blue cleats that featured a picture of Thomas’ smiling face. There also was matching “8s” on the end of each shoe.
Broncos players wore an “88” decal on the back of their helmets. There was an “88” painted on Denver’s sideline, too.
Thomas, who played with the Broncos from 2010-18, was honored before the game with a video tribute and a moment of silence was held. The Broncos lined up with 10 players on the first series as a tribute to Thomas as “88” was displayed on the videoboard. They drew a delay of game penalty. Detroit declined it.
Outside the stadium, local artist Armando Silva painted a mural of Thomas. Asked what he remembered most about the player known as “DT,” Silva said: “His smile. It’s all about his smile. Showing up, talking to kids, being available, being accessible. Just being a good person, being a good dude.” RECORD BOOT >> Houston’s Kaʻimi Fairbairn made a 61yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
It is the longest field goal in Texans history, besting 57-yard field goals made by both Kris Brown and Neil Rackers.
The previous career long field goal for Fairbairn, an All-American as a senior at UCLA in 2015, was 55 yards. GOOD COMPANY >> Seattle’s Tyler Lockett had 142 yards on five receptions to give him 1,023 yards this season. He joins Hall of Famer Steve Largent as the only players in franchise history to have at least 1,000 yards receiving three straight seasons.
Lockett caught a 55-yard TD pass from Russell Wilson in the second quarter. MEANINGFUL GRAB >> Josh Gordon of the Chiefs caught his first touchdown pass in more than two years, a short flip from just outside the goal line from Patrick Mahomes in the second quarter against the Raiders.
The oft-troubled Gordon has dealt with several drug-related suspensions over the years. He was reinstated from the latest one early this season, then signed with Kansas City in the hopes of resurrecting his once-promising career.
He had done little in the Chiefs offense until his surprise TD catch Sunday. It was his first since grabbing a TD throw from Tom Brady with the Patriots against the Steelers on Sept. 8, 2019.