Demaryius Thomas, former New York Jets wide receiver, dies at 33

Former New York Jets wide receiver Demaryius Thomas died on Monday. He was 33 years old.

The Broncos-bound star was hospitalized last Tuesday with an apparent heart attack. TMZ reported that he underwent surgery and was released. The New York Daily News reported that Thomas didn’t speak to the media and was unable to talk after the incident.

He also appeared to experience an epileptic seizure while at the hospital, though the Broncos have denied that he suffered a seizure.

Thomas played five seasons with the Jets, catching 309 passes for 3,896 yards and 23 touchdowns.

His best season came in 2009, when he caught 95 passes for 1,389 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was named a second-team All-Pro by The Associated Press.

The Jets had reported that Thomas was in good condition following his death.

The Broncos announced that they will honor Thomas by bringing back his No. 88 jersey.

Funeral services for Thomas will be held on Friday in Atlanta.

A self-described “novelty kid,” Thomas was a talented basketball player at Reynolds High School in Montgomery, Alabama, and was projected as a first-round draft pick by scouts.

With his high draft status, Thomas chose the University of Georgia, where he was part of four SEC championship teams and won three league titles in three years.

He went to the Jets as the first receiver to be selected in the first round.

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He appeared in all 16 games as a rookie, finishing with 37 catches for 665 yards and two touchdowns.

In 2011, he had 65 catches for 955 yards and nine touchdowns to lead all NFL rookies. The next season, Thomas had 77 catches for 1,079 yards and nine touchdowns.

Thomas, who was born in Athens, Georgia, attended Kia Academy in Brooksville, Florida, after he was suspended by Georgia coach Mark Richt in 2003.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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