(Photo credit: A.R. Shaw for rolling out)
Demaryius Thomas suffered from a severe brain disease at the time of his death at age 33 in December 2021.
According to a New York Times feature, Thomas’ family revealed the former Denver Broncos wide receiver suffered from Stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The disease better known as CTE can only be diagnosed after a person dies. CTE is a brain disease that can be caused by multiple hits to the head. Many NFL players have been diagnosed with it in during autopsies, including Aaron Hernandez, who was diagnosed with one of the most severe cases seen at Stage 3. Stage 4 CTE is the most advanced case of the disease. Stage 2 CTE is the same level former New York Giant Tyler Sash suffered from. He eventually died of an accidental overdose months after moving back home to Iowa. He struggled to keep a job and focus, and was once chased down by cops while intoxicated on a scooter. Stage 2 is also the diagnosis former Pro Bowler Junior Seau. He shot himself in the chest 10 years ago at age 43.
People close to Thomas said his behavior became “erratic” in the final year of his life, and he showed signs of memory loss and paranoia. An official cause of Thomas’ death has not been announced yet, but the Georgia native did suffer from seizures after a 2019 car crash. Thomas was driving 70 miles per hour in a 30-mile per-hour zone when he lost control and flipped multiple times. His head cracked the windshield and the jaws of life were used to get him out of the vehicle.
Thomas was close to achieving 10,000 career receiving yards when he attempted a comeback in the NFL, but the seizures halted that plan. Thomas announced his retirement in June 2021.
Thomas’ parents said he didn’t text back much in the year before his death and rarely left the house without a gun. Family members said money, guns and memorabilia were stolen from his home after his death. Several men have since been arrested in connection with the theft.
