ATLANTA — The clock read 88:88 with a shot clock of 88 seconds. Or, at least, it appeared that way.
It seemed right. The No. 88 was everywhere in Georgia Tech's McCamish Pavilion on Monday, as Demaryius Thomas' alma mater hosted a celebration of life for the beloved former Yellow Jacket who passed away a little over a week earlier at just 33 years old. It was on that campus in Atlanta where Thomas grew into an NFL prospect in his No. 8 uniform; later in Denver, he grew into an NFL star in No. 88.
But the clock wasn't on; all 88s is, of course, just the nature of how digital clocks are designed. This one rested atop one of the gym's backboards, part of a folded-down goal that was out of sight behind the backdrop that was set up behind the displays of mementoes cataloging the career of the man some of us in that auditorium knew as "Bay-Bay" or perhaps just "D.T."
At McCamish Pavilion, there was no need for to look for signs like this. Thomas' No. 88 was everywhere already: on full-length windows by the door, on lapel pins, on the dais.
But we see signs even when we're not looking for them. It's part of being human to do that, and it's natural to be even more attuned to seeing them after losing someone special. When the Broncos drove 88 yards to a score late touchdown in a Week 14 win over the Lions, we saw the shadow of the No. 88 we all missed. The next morning, when a brilliant sunrise threw an orange sky across Denver, I couldn't help but think of him.
There is a vacuum now for his family, for everyone he made feel like family and for all those who loved him. That void and the grief that accompanies losing someone so utterly good, someone who was so easy to love, begs for an indication that he lingers on beyond his physical existence.
In the gym, that feeling was all around us.
Before the celebration of life program began that afternoon, a slideshow played on the four-sided video display that hung over the podium. In no particular order, we watched snippets of his life play out before us.
There, of course, were the defining moments that fans know well — sprinting past Ike Taylor for his game-winning touchdown in the playoffs vs. Pittsburgh, posing with Peyton Manning in the locker room after the two connected for Manning's record-setting 509th career touchdown pass, meeting former President Barack Obama during the team's visit to the White House after Super Bowl 50.
But the ones that stick with me most are the ones that people may be less familiar with. A photo of him as a young boy sitting in a white wicker chair wearing a red plaid shirt, red pants and suspenders and a cherubic smile. Or one where, now an adult, he's wearing a Superman costume and posing for a picture with a young girl dressed as a princess.
One of those less-seen photos is of Thomas in the home tunnel at what's now known as Empower Field at Mile High. During training camp in 2013, the team held an Aug. 3 practice at the stadium, but overcast skies turned dark before opening up completely into a downpour. There, underneath the metal risers, rain streamed through the stands' gaps into the tunnel, which is where Thomas stood. In conditions that most people would dread, Thomas exulted in them — arms outstretched, tongue out and eyes scrunched in a big ol' smile. That, to me, summed up a lot about him.
Thomas, as it's well known now, had a difficult childhood. As an 11-year-old, law enforcement officers stormed his home to arrest his mother, and he spent a large portion of his life waiting for his mother and grandmother to return home from incarceration. In 2015, he wrote of the loneliness in his life — how there was a period where he would cry every night, and how even into adulthood there would be nights like that.
In that photo from that rainy day, I see someone who somehow endured crushing circumstances like that for more than a decade and still lived with a love for life.
The other one is from almost three years later, in the moments after the Broncos won Super Bowl 50. Amid all that's going on in the locker room, Thomas is there, pushing a blue laundry cart that has Peyton Manning's son riding in it.
"It is celebratory, it's chaotic, there's people all over, and I just remember being in the locker room," Manning recalled in a tribute video that played during Monday's ceremony. "My dad [and my] two brothers were in there. I'm talking to them, and Marshall was in there with me and I can't find him. I'm almost going to get worried about him, and the next thing I know, I see D.T. coming around the corner and he's got Marshall in the laundry bin, pushing him like a tractor around the locker room like he's in a parade. My son's having the time of his life, and I'm not sure he realizes that this is pretty unique. … This is a player that just won the Super Bowl, and he's pushing me around the locker room. It just tells you the kind of person D.T. was, that he cared about other people."
The way Thomas was around kids was an inspiration. Moments like that one are probably the ones that will stick with people who knew him, how he was with their kids or watching how he was with anyone's children at his youth football camps, community events or with kids at Make-A-Wish experiences.
These moments were him at his best, truly.
Demaryius Thomas' time with the Broncos was unforgettable — he made game-winning plays, set franchise records, helped the Broncos reach two Super Bowls — including a win in Super Bowl 50 — and he was a star in the community.
First-round draft pick Demaryius Thomas displays his jersey to the media during his introductory press conference on April 23, 2010.
First-round draft pick Demaryius Thomas arrives at Dove Valley headquarters in snow flurries on April 23, 2010.
Demaryius Thomas flashes a smile in the end zone after completing a 21-yard touchdown catch against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 19, 2010. It was the first touchdown catch of his career.
Demaryius Thomas smiles after he contributed eight receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 19, 2010.
Demaryius Thomas holds a young child at the Denver Rescue Mission Holiday Party on Dec. 13, 2011.
Demaryius Thomas turns upfield on a 41-yard catch and run for a touchdown in third quarter action against the Minnesota Vikings in the on Dec. 4, 2011.
Demaryius Thomas creates separation from Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor on an 80-yard catch and run for a touchdown to win the game in overtime of an AFC Wild Card playoff game on Jan. 8, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas scores the game-winning touchdown against the Steelers in overtime of the AFC Wild Card playoff game on Jan. 8, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas strolls the aisles with a Boys & Girls Club shopper during the annual Shop with a Bronco on Dec. 6, 2011.
Demaryius Thomas runs out of the tunnel during player introductions before a preseason game on Aug. 18, 2012.
Peyton Manning chats with Demaryius Thomas on the sideline during the team's first Organized Team Activity held at the Dove Valley facility on May 21, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas catches a 38-yard pass for a first down against the New England Patriots on Oct. 7, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas catches the ball during first quarter action against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 28, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas looks for extra yards after a reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 2, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas takes the field before a game against the Chargers on Nov. 18, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas runs upfield after a reception against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 23, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas hauls in a 22-yard touchdown reception against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 23, 2012.
Fans celebrate with Demaryius Thomas after he caught an 8-yard touchdown pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 2, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas scores a touchdown during against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoff game on Jan. 12, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Eric Decker pose for a 2013 Gameday Magazine cover on Aug. 13, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas has some fun in the rain outside the locker room at a training camp scrimmage at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Aug. 3, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas catches a 26-yard touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 5, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas jumps into the stands after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 29, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas pushes off a Chiefs defender as he heads up the sidelines on a 20-yard reception on Nov. 17, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas points to the camera while he stretches before a game against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 27, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas hauls in a 15-yard pass for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 29, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas holds the football across the goal one on a 5-on Dec. 29, 2013. The pass to Thomas from Peyton Manning set a new NFL record for passing yards in a single season with 5,477 yards.
Demaryius Thomas carries the ball in for a touchdown after a reception against the San Diego Chargers on Nov. 10, 2013.
CBS's Jim Nantz interviews Demaryius Thomas after Denver defeated the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 19, 2014.
Demaryius Thomas holds up the Lamar Hunt Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at on Jan. 19, 2014.
Demaryius Thomas hangs on to a 14-yard reception for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2, 2014.
Demaryius Thomas catches a 12-yard pass for a touchdown with two Chiefs defending him on Sept. 14, 2014
Demaryius Thomas celebrates with the fans in the south stands after he ran 31 yards on a reception for a touchdown on Oct. 5, 2014. Thomas set a franchise record for receiving yards in a single game with 226.
Demaryius Thomas reaches for a deep pass which caught and took for a 86-yard touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 5, 2014. Thomas set a franchise record for receiving yards in a single game with 226.
Demaryius Thomas runs for an 86-yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 5, 2014. Thomas set a franchise record for receiving yards in a single game with 226.
Demaryius Thomas runs past a diving Cardinals defender for a touchdown on Oct. 5, 2014. Thomas set a franchise record for receiving yards in a single game with 226.
Raiders defensive back Charles Woodson tries to bring down Demaryius Thomas on Nov. 9, 2014.
Demaryius Thomas catches Peyton Manning's 8-yard pass for Manning's NFL-record 509th career touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 19, 2014.
Peyton Manning celebrates his NFL-record 509th passing touchdown with Demaryius Thomas, who caught the pass, on Oct. 19, 2014.
Demaryius Thomas hauls in a 40-yard touchdown reception against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 19, 2014.
Orlando Franklin lifts Demaryius Thomas after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 23, 2014.
Demaryius Thomas catches a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 17, 2015.
Demaryius Thomas fires up the crowd during a game against the Patriots on Nov. 29, 2015.
Demaryius Thomas carries the ball for a 72-yard touchdown against the San Diego Chargers on Jan. 3, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas spikes the ball after scoring on a two-point conversion against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 17, 2016.
Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas celebrate in confetti after beating the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 24, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas celebrates with DeMarcus Ware after the Broncos beat the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 24, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas smiles in the locker room as he gets ready for practice during the week leading up to Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 5, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas introduces Peyton Manning to Thomas' mother, Katina Smith, after walkthrough for Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 6, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas celebrates with Aqib Talib after beating the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas pushes Marshall Manning, Peyton Manning's son, through the locker room in an equipment container after the Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7, 2016
Demaryius Thomas stands atop a fire truck and waves to the crowd during the Broncos' championship parade through downtown Denver on Feb. 9, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas (back row, holding Marshall Manning) takes a group photo with Peyton Manning and other Broncos teammates after Manning's retirement press conference on March 7, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas, among others, looks on as then-President Barack Obama speaks to the crowd during a ceremony honoring the team's Super Bowl 50 victory.
Demaryius Thomas during the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 ring ceremony on June 12, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas scores on an 11-yard reception for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 2, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas celebrates his 4-yard touchdown catch with Emmanuel Sanders on Oct. 24, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas outmuscles a Saints cornerback for a touchdown on Nov. 13, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas and Eric Studesville's son, Eric Jr., hang out before a walkthrough on Dec. 31, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas autographs a football before the Broncos' game against the Raiders on Jan. 1, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas stiff arms a Raiders defender on Jan. 1, 2017.
On his right arm, Demaryius Thomas sports tattoos recalling his first day as a Denver Bronco and the Super Bowl 50 trophies he won as part of the team.
At Demaryius Thomas' youth football camp at Mullen High School on July 7, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas takes a photo with a fan before a Broncos preseason game on Aug. 31, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas takes a photo with Malachi, a child who toured UCHealth Training Center and met players on Sept. 29, 2017 as part of his Make-A-Wish experience.
Demaryius Thomas smiles as he meets a baby girl, who visited practice during a family member's Make-A-Wish visit to UCHealth Training Center.
Demaryius Thomas meets Children's Hospital Colorado Junior Reporter Caleb Aldrich after practice at UCHealth Training Center on Sept. 27, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas is introduced to the home crowd before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 19, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas runs out onto the field during pregame player introductions on Nov. 19, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas huddles with the team in the locker room after the Broncos beat the New York Jets on Dec. 10, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas catches a touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 19, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas, dressed as Santa Claus, gives a big hug to kids during the Boys & Girls Club Holiday Party at UCHealth Training Center on Dec. 18, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas, dressed as Santa Claus, visits the Boys & Girls Club Holiday Party at UCHealth Training Center on Dec. 18, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas poses with Matt Paradis at a walkthrough practice at UCHealth Training Center on Dec. 13, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas shows his excitement in the tunnel before player introductions for the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 1, 2018.
Demaryius Thomas autographs a jersey a young boy is wearing after a training camp practie on Aug. 9, 2018.
Demaryius Thomas stretches during training camp at UCHealth Training Center on Aug. 5, 2018.
Demaryius Thomas celebrates with Tim Patrick and Emmanuel Sanders after hearing his touchdown counts during the game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 9, 2018.
Demaryius Thomas in the tunnel pregame before the Broncos' preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 11, 2018.
Chase, a Children's Hospital Colorado Junior Reporter, receives an autographed helmet from Demaryius Thomas at UCHealth Training Center on Sept. 26, 2018.
Demaryius Thomas gives out high-fives to fans in the tunnel during player introductions before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on Oct. 1, 2018.
Demaryius Thomas gets his feet in on a touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 14, 2018.
Demaryius Thomas and Von Miller greet Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald after the Broncos' game against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 18, 2018.
Don't get me wrong — Thomas was an outstanding football player, one of the best of his era. To date, he is one of only 18 players in NFL history with a 1,600-yard season in his career and one of just 16 players to record four or more seasons with at least 1,300 receiving yards. Of those 16, only Thomas and three others accomplished that in consecutive seasons.
But the most unforgettable moments for so many of us were the ones of him as a person, doing perhaps one thing he loved even more than playing football, which was making children smile. Running footraces with kids and pulling up near the end to make it close — or maybe just to showboat a little. Playing four-square, jumping rope with ones that were about 10 sizes too small. Giving a helmet to a Children's Hospital Colorado patient on a spur-of-the-moment idea. Meeting with Manning's children near the loading dock at Empower Field at Mile High after he was traded to Houston for tear-filled goodbyes, and then with children of other Broncos staffers who wanted to see him off, too. Even one of my last memories of him was something like that. In August, Thomas came back to the stadium for a FanDuel fan festival, and at one point, he bumped into the stadium's assistant general manager, Scott Bliek, in the tunnel near the away team locker room. It had been several years since he'd last seen Bliek, and they chatted about how Bliek's son was doing in baseball and high school football.
"The thing that amazes me is that as great of a player as he was — and some would say a Hall of Fame career — you know, nobody talks about that because he was such a better person," Peter Wright, Thomas' financial advisor, said in the tribute video. "All anybody talks about is how he made people feel."
Even in death, Thomas will continue to have that impact. Pastor Carlos Jones, who emceed the celebration of life, told guests on Monday that before Thomas passed, he had arranged to buy gifts for children in need for the holidays.
"Anyone knows 'Bay-Bay' well knows that at the center of his heart was making children smile," Jones said. "As a matter of fact, 600 children here in Atlanta, Georgia are going to be blessed here on Christmas because he had already had it set up to make sure that 600 children receive a Christmas this year. That's just the type of person that he was. And out of all he relationships that he built, the relationships that he built with children will always be special. He changed children's lives in the communities that he was a part of, and his impact will continue to live on through those connections."
The same can be said for the rest of us. We can extend his impact through ourselves in how we move forward with our lives — in how we influence our community or how we simply try to go through everyday life.
"What I'm going to take with me," Tim Tebow said in a video message, "is that every day, I'm going to live with that smile, I'm going to live with that joy, I'm going to live with that passion that he did every single day, because when he walked into a room, that room instantly got brighter."
Born on Christmas Day in 1987, Demaryius Thomas was able to be a gift to seemingly everyone he came across. On what would have been his 34th birthday, we can look to who he was and remind ourselves that we can have the same kind of impact.
"D.T. was not just the type of guy to pass by," Jones said. "He would stop to see about someone else in need. … This is the type of person D.T. was. He was the type of person that healed wounds — with his smile, with his love, by caring. If he could be there for you, he was going to be there for you."
No matter the way we look to incorporate a part of how Thomas lived life, this will be the way we stop looking for signs and start living as one of them.
Like the clocks at McCamish Pavilion when electricity again surges through them, the display will change, but 88 will always be there.
