Demaryius Thomas diagnosed with stage 2 CTE at time of death

Doctors have determined that former Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was suffering from stage 2 CTE at the time of his death in 2021

The death of former Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas was tragic enough. Now we can add another sad layer to the story.

Doctors from Boston University have diagnosed the 33-year-old Thomas with CTE after studying his brain.

Thomas died in December, likely from a seizure unrelated to CTE, according to ESPN. However, the local coroner has not provided an official cause of death at this time. A 2019 car accident is considered the cause of his seizures.

Demaryius Thomas diagnosed with stage 2 CTE at time of death

The stage 2 CTE wouldn’t have caused his trouble with seizures, but it did contribute to neurological issues that presented in the final years of the receiver’s life. Family members have said he dealt with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, memory loss, paranoia and more.

Sadly, this comes as no surprise given the hundreds of former NFL players who have been posthumously diagnosed with CTE. The Boston College Concussion Legacy Foundation has found more than 300 cases while studying the brains of ex-pros. There’s no telling how many living athletes are currently experiencing the symptoms of the traumatic brain disease.

The Georgia native starred at Georgia Tech for three years before heading to the NFL.

Thomas played most of his nine-year NFL career with the Denver Broncos, who selected him with the No. 22 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. From 2012 to 2016, he produced no less than 1,000 yards per season, maxing out at 1,619 in 2014. He won the Super Bowl with the franchise and received four Pro Bowl nods.

The Broncos traded him to the Texans in 2018. Before officially retiring in 2021, he spent time with the Patriots and Jets.