American football star and Super Bowl champion Demaryius Thomas has died at the age of 33.

The former player, who announced his retirement from the National Football League in June, would have turned 34 on Christmas Day.

The former wide receiver was found dead at his Atlanta home on Thursday night, according to police.

Officer Tim Lupo said: “Preliminary information is that his death stems from a medical issue, and our investigators currently have no reason to believe otherwise.”

LaTonya Bonseigneur, a cousin who grew up with Thomas, told The Associated Press that the family believed he died following a fit.

She said: “He had been suffering from seizures for over a year, and we believe he had a seizure when he was showering.

“We’re not sure when he died. We just spoke with him yesterday.”

She added: “He was alone, and a friend couldn’t get hold of him, so he called his driver, who has a key because of these seizures, and he went into his home and found him in the shower.”

Thomas racked up 63 touchdowns during his 10-year career, spent mostly with the Denver Broncos.

He won a Super Bowl with the team in 2015 and earned four Pro Bowls in a Broncos strip.

Thomas was traded to the Houston Texans in 2018 and last played with the New York Jets in 2019, starting 10 of 11 games.

Originally from Montrose, a tiny town in southeast Georgia, he made his mark as a receiver at Georgia Tech, displaying the skills that would see him picked to join the Broncos in the 2010 draft.

Former players have expressed shock at the news of his untimely death.

One of Thomas’ teammates on the Super Bowl-winning team, DeMarcus Ware, posted a picture of the two together on Twitter with the message: “Heartbroken.”

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson tweeted: “RIP Young Legend.”

Former Broncos running back Terrell Davis wrote: “I’m just shocked to hear that Demaryius Thomas has died. Gone way to [sic] soon.”

Broncos hall of famer Steve Atwater said: “My heart is hurting right now. We’ll never forget you my brother.”

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