Demaryius Thomas - A Reflection of Life
(Photo by J. Meric // Getty Images)
Sports are one of the few avenues in which someone can profoundly affect your life without you ever meeting them.
Demaryius Thomas was one of those people.
September 10, 2009.
No. 15 Georgia Tech faced off against their hated rivals Clemson in their annual showdown, but this game was different.
The Yellow Jackets were determined to get their first three-game home winning streak over the Tigers since the 1970s, and on a brisk late summer night, they had just the perfect man to continue their run.
Number 8, Demaryius “Bay Bay” Thomas.
Now if anyone reading this knows about the late 2000s Georgia Tech team, it’s that they ran the triple-option offense, electing to run the ball nearly every play.
So how would an elite wide receiver change the game with this scheme in place?
By delivering the gut punches right when the team needed them.
Up 14-0, Georgia Tech needed a big play, something to pop the Tigers right in the jaw, and as kicker Scott Blair took the fake field goal play out of the pocket, he knew just where to look.
A blur of white and gold swarmed the stands as Bay Bay sprinted to the endzone, etching his way into the lore of historic Grant Field.
A deafening crowd wouldn’t be silenced, even as the Jackets blew their lead but would later come back to win with a Blair nailed field goal with under a minute to go.
Georgia Tech would end up going 10-2, winning the ACC Championship against Clemson in a much-anticipated rematch.
But that Bay Bay play never left our memories.
As a Georgia Tech fan growing up, I was only 10 years old when I watched that game, and the images of his huge smile lighting up Bobby Dodd Stadium won’t ever leave me.
Athletes provide so much to us as sports fans, and not just entertainment. But heart, passion, a true love for the game, but more importantly, the community they live in.
Demaryius was often at the Boys and Girls Club and A Precious Child among other nonprofits in Denver during his NFL days, and his always-humble and friendly attitude helped him make friends easily across the league.
Georgia Tech and the Denver Broncos wouldn’t have been the same teams without Bay Bay, but more significantly, each and every fan watching and listening to these games wouldn’t have been the same.
His impact is a poetic reminder that humility, kindness, and generosity are values everyone should strive for, no matter who you are or where you come from.
We thank you, we love you, and we will always cherish you.
Rest in Peace, our #8.