It’s another Purple Friday in Baltimore!
I do want to start out today’s Out to Lunch with a tribute to Demaryius Thomas, who unexpectedly passed away last night. The former Broncos receiver was just 33 years old when he retired in June, and his death is a devastating blow to football fans everywhere.
I just emailed Demaryius Thomas position coach while he was at West Laurens High School – Jeff Clayton.
He tells me that the rumors are true. The former Georgia Tech and Broncos receiver has passed away at the age of 33. pic.twitter.com/WnmVfm1ln2
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) December 10, 2021
Who can forget his iconic overtime touchdown that took down the Steelers? As a young Ravens fan at the time, Thomas earned my eternal fandom for stiff-arming Ike Taylor into oblivion on his way to knocking the Steelers out of the playoffs.
Demaryius Thomas has passed away at the age of 33 per @AllbrightNFL.
Gone too soon. RIP 🙏pic.twitter.com/eQCZznsiyk
— PFF (@PFF) December 10, 2021
But the personal stories about Thomas are even more remarkable. He was one of those NFL players that saw community engagement, especially with youth, as one of the best parts of his job.
Most people saw what Demaryius Thomas could do on the field. Off the field, he was even more special.
These are just some of the videos I still have on my phone that swore I never would delete. Being around little kids was when Demaryius seemed the happiest. pic.twitter.com/E1UIXigpIJ
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 10, 2021
Even though he only spent five months, most of them during the offseason, with Tom Brady in New England, Brady still went out of his way to give Thomas a gift in their next matchup. Knowing how many teammates Brady has had in his career, most of them for longer than five offseason months, that’s really saying something about Thomas.
Two years ago ahead of MNF, Tom Brady sought out his friend Demaryius Thomas to give him a gift. And while they weren’t teammates for very long, Thomas clearly left an impact on Brady, who referred to Thomas as "a source of light" in a tribute on Twitter 💔pic.twitter.com/A9EYXmerPi
— Emerson Lotzia, Jr. (@EmersonLotzia) December 10, 2021
Rest easy, DT. We’ll miss you as part of the football world, but our memories of you will never disappear.
Moving onto the Ravens, the team only had two (2!) players missing at practice today in Jimmy Smith and Patrick Mekari.
This is a serious tweet. The Ravens had just two players missing at practice: RT Patrick Mekari (hand) and CB Jimmy Smith (possible vet day).
TE Nick Boyle (knee) and FB Patrick Ricard (back) were back on the field.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) December 10, 2021
Mekari is still going to be out for a week or two, and Smith could be taking a vet day after full participation in practice this week. It’s an encouraging sign before a tough matchup against the Browns.
GM #RavensFlock last clue. Drafted in 2018 this player played LG and played every game in ‘19 & ‘20. He hands the ball off now on every play to @Lj_era8 He and his wife have captured all of our hearts and I couldn’t love them more for all they do for my home town. 💜⭐️
— Lacie DeCosta (@DeCostaLacie) December 9, 2021
Lacie DeCosta has also made her jersey pick of the week. She’s going with center Bradley Bozeman, who was nominated for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award earlier this week for his exemplary contributions on and off the field.
#MyCleatsMyCause are for the @bradnikkiboze foundation committed to strengthening communities through a variety of community initiatives that include youth engagement, food security, and education equality!#ProBowlVote Bradley Bozeman pic.twitter.com/feSuflNz4j
— Bradley Bozeman (@BSBoze) December 5, 2021
As our @Ravens head into playoff season, we honor Bradley Bozeman and his wife, Nikki, for their work to confront childhood bullying and provide meals in our community. #WPMOYChallenge #Bozeman pic.twitter.com/TD791jr5vh
— Office of Baltimore City Council (@BaltCouncil) January 4, 2021
Bozeman and his wife, Nikki, work tirelessly to combat bullying and food insecurity, especially in Baltimore, so here’s a big thank-you and congratulations to them!
Finally, my prospect of the week is NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu. He’s put together an excellent season this year, as broken down by @ChrisJustJoking from the Deep Cover Pod.
🚨Prospect Watch🚨
Here it is. My first attempt at flying solo, I hope you enjoy it & send your feedback.
My apologies for some of the choppiness of the film, I’ll have that sorted out for episode2@deepcoverpod#RavensFlock
DCP Prospect Watch
https://t.co/0IAe96Ltlk— Chris (@ChrisJustJoking) December 7, 2021
Here are a few highlights:
My god, Ikem Ekwonu. pic.twitter.com/6BGwCx3PgP
— Ryan Fowler (@FowlerRyan1) December 1, 2021
He’s a monster run blocker who loves to send opposing defenders flying…
#WOLFPACK OT Ikem Ekwonu (#79) is here working against FSU EDGE Jermaine Johnson II (#11).
Johnson tries to stick the OT with a long arm but Ekwonu quickly gains control and buries him at the LOS. This is incredible physicality by Ekwonu. pic.twitter.com/6TGy7sIpwH
— Nick Price (Saint Nick🎅) (@PriceCheck3) November 11, 2021
…and he’s also great at winning control and using his physicality in pass protection.
Baltimore will definitely be looking to draft an offensive tackle, and Ekwonu might fit the bill.
