Peyton Manning, wife team with Georgia Tech to offer scholarship fund in honor of Demaryius Thomas

NFL legend Peyton Manning and his spouse, Ashley, have teamed up with Georgia Tech to supply a tutorial scholarship by way of their PeyBack Basis to incoming freshmen in honor of former Yellow Jackets star Demaryius Thomas, who died in December 2021. 

The scholarship can be open to incoming freshmen from Laurens County in central Georgia the place Thomas was born and grew up, or folks with want from surrounding areas. The reward will fund each full and partial scholarships for need-based college students all through their complete time at Georgia Tech. 

“An essential a part of Demaryius’ legacy was the way in which he impressed the subsequent era to pursue their goals with the identical perseverance and willpower that outlined him,” Manning mentioned in an announcement. “Via this scholarship to Georgia Tech, Demaryius may have a long-lasting affect on deserving youth from his hometown space who can observe in his footsteps and attain nice issues in life.”

Along with the scholarship, Georgia Tech introduced that August 8 (8/8) can be acknowledged as Demaryius Thomas Day any longer. Thomas wore eight at Georgia Tech and 88 within the NFL. The Yellow Jackets will honor a particular participant by bestowing Thomas’ No. 8 jersey to him on that day. Georgia Tech will even put on a No. 8 helmet decal and paint No. 8 on the sector in Thomas’ reminiscence.  

Regardless of enjoying in Paul Johnson’s triple-option offense throughout his ultimate two years of school, Thomas excelled at Georgia Tech. He posted 1,154 yards receiving and eight touchdowns on simply 46 catches as a junior in 2009 to earn first-team All-ACC honors. 

Thomas died instantly at his dwelling in Roswell, Georgia, on December 9, 2021, as a result of an unspecified medical problem. He was solely 16 days away from his thirty fourth birthday. Thomas performed 10 years within the NFL after being chosen within the first spherical by the Denver Broncos and earned two All-Professional honors and 4 Professional Bowls. 

Manning teamed up with Thomas from 2012-15 because the Broncos received Tremendous Bowl 50 following the 2015 season, Manning’s second and ultimate Tremendous Bowl victory. 

“Demaryius Thomas was an extremely gifted and unselfish teammate, however extra importantly, he was a particular particular person and buddy,” Manning mentioned. “My household and I miss him dearly, and we wished to honor D.T.’s reminiscence.”