The Denver Broncos make good on their promise to DT

On what was the most emotional day for the Denver Broncos in a long time, the team was able to put on one of their most impressive performances of the season, routing the Detroit Lions 38-10 to put the team above .500.

Sure, the win was over not only one of the worst teams in football also battling COVID and illness complications, but a win is a win, and the Broncos have to continue playing winning football for a chance at a playoff run.

The Broncos didn’t just have a need to win to get back above .500 as a driving force. Sunday’s matchup was also the day that the team honored the late Demaryius Thomas, the great Broncos receiver who is a lock for an acclaimed spot in the Broncos Ring of Fame.

Thomas’ death was announced Thursday evening. He was 33 years old, to be turning 34 on Christmas Day.

Performance and all, the team did everything right to honor DT, from their “88” decals on their helmets to the missing man formation at the beginning of the game.

However, it wasn’t the dominant performance or the touching tributes that went on before and during the game that was truly the best way Thomas was honored.

It’s the giving back that took place.

You see, prior to the game, Justin Simmons made an announcement that for every tackle the Denver Broncos defense made on Sunday, he promised he would be donating $88 to the Denver Boy’s and Girl’s Club, a cause Demaryius Thomas was extremely passionate about.

According to 9News, Demaryius Thomas played all kinds of roles for children, working alongside organizations such as the Denver Broncos Boys and Girl Club of Denver and A Precious Child, a nonprofit located in Broomfield. Whether he was putting on football camps or dressing up as Santa Claus, the Denver Broncos Boys and Girls Club Director Rich Barrows said everything he did was for the children he got to work with:

“It wasn’t just a check, it wasn’t just an appearance, it was him getting to spend a little more time with our kids.”

Demaryius Thomas changed the lives of many children through his off-field volunteer work. It was obviously something he was truly passionate about, and Justin Simmons made the perfect example of receiving the torch and carrying on the work.

Of course, Justin Simmons is no stranger to being a superstar off the field, as the safety has been selected for the Broncos’ nomination for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, his third time receiving this honor.

The Broncos’ defense recorded 56 tackles against the Lions on the day. When multiplied by 88, the total came out to be $4,928 raised. After the game, Simmons announced that he would be rounding up to 60 tackles.

60 tackles multiplied by 88?

$5,280.

Teammate Shelby Harris later announced he would be matching Simmons’ total. In just one day, $10,560 was raised by the Denver Broncos to better the lives of area youth in honor of their former teammate and friend. Justin Simmons made a promise on behalf of the Broncos defense, and that promise was kept.

The video tribute, the moment of silence, the missing man formation, and each time the ball was placed on the on-field “88” logo were all phenomenal ways of honoring a great player and an even greater human being.

However, the greatest way the Denver Broncos were able to honor Demaryius Thomas was the way they gave back to the Boys and Girls Club, a true passion of DT’s.

The playing days of Demaryius Thomas will be remembered for decades to come. Sunday’s dominant performance by the Denver Broncos was a nod to his playing career.

However, the selfless and generous act by the Broncos and players such as Justin Simmons and Shelby Harris is truly the best way the team is able to carry on the legacy of Demaryius Thomas.