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Julius Thomas
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Julius Dewayne Thomas[1] (born June 27, 1988) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football and basketball at Portland State, and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Thomas is the son of Greg and Toria Thomas. He has two brothers, Trenton and Marcus. Thomas graduated from Tokay High School in Lodi, California. Thomas graduated from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.[2][3][4][5][6]

College career

[edit]

While at Portland State, Thomas was a First-team All-Big Sky Conference selection in football in 2010. He finished the season with 29 receptions for 453 yards and two touchdowns for Portland State's football team.[7] Thomas had not played collegiate football prior to 2010.

Thomas played four seasons for the Portland State basketball team. During his collegiate basketball career, Thomas set school records for career games played (121), career wins (78), and career field goals percentage (.663),[8] and also participated on one Big Sky regular season championship team and two Big Sky tournament championship teams as well two NCAA Tournaments (2008 and 2009). He was twice named to the Big Sky All-Tournament team. As a senior, he averaged 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and shot a school-record .671 from the field.[9]

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+5⁄8 in
(1.95 m)		 246 lb
(112 kg)		 33 in
(0.84 m)		 10+1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)		 4.68 s 1.64 s 2.74 s 4.31 s 6.96 s 35.5 in
(0.90 m)		 9 ft 3 in
(2.82 m)		 16 reps
All values from NFL Combine[10][11]

Denver Broncos

[edit]

2011 season

[edit]

Thomas was selected in the fourth round with the 129th overall pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2011 NFL draft. He was the highest selected Portland State Viking since quarterback Neil Lomax was selected in the second round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1980.[12][13][14] His rookie contract was four years and $2,420,000 through the 2014 season.[15] It included a $384,000 signing bonus.

In his first NFL season, Thomas had only one catch as he battled various injuries. He appeared in five games on the season.[16] Thomas's lone catch, which came from quarterback Kyle Orton, came on September 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals.[17]

2012 season

[edit]

Thomas did not record any statistics in the 2012 season. He only appeared in four games.[18]

2013 season

[edit]

Thomas erupted onto the scene in the 2013 season. He scored his first and second career touchdowns in the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5, 2013, having a five catch, 110-yard, two-touchdown breakout performance. Both of Thomas's touchdowns came from quarterback Peyton Manning.[19] He followed up this performance in Week 2 with a six-catch, 47-yard performance that ended with a game-sealing touchdown against the New York Giants.[20] In Week 3, he continued his scoring streak against the Oakland Raiders with three receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown.[21] Thomas played his best game of the season in Week 5, catching nine passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns in a 51–48 shootout win against the Dallas Cowboys.[22] On October 13, he had four receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars.[23] On October 20, he had five receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts.[24] On November 10, 2013, he had three receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers.[25] In Week 16, in a win over the Houston Texans, Thomas caught a touchdown from Peyton Manning, which was his 51st touchdown pass of the season, which set a single season record.[26]

Thomas ended the season with 12 touchdown receptions, the most by any Denver Broncos tight end.[27] Thomas and the Broncos reached Super Bowl XLVIII, where he had four receptions for 27 yards, but lost 43–8 to the Seattle Seahawks.[28]

2014 season

[edit]

In the first game of the 2014 season, the Broncos hosted the Indianapolis Colts. During that game, Thomas caught three first-half touchdown passes from quarterback Peyton Manning, tying former Bronco Shannon Sharpe's franchise record for the most touchdowns by a tight end in a single season game. The Broncos went on to win the game by a score of 31–24.[29] In the next game, he had four receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.[30] In a Super Bowl XLVIII rematch in the following game, he had three receptions for 17 yards and a touchdown in an overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks.[31] On October 5, he had six receptions for 66 yards and two touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals. His first score was Peyton Manning's 500th career touchdown pass.[32] Three days later, Thomas was fined $8,000 for a chop block on Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell.[33] On October 12, against the New York Jets, he had two receptions for 44 yards and two touchdowns, which tied Calvin Johnson's record of nine touchdowns through the first five games of a season.[34][35] On November 2, he had two receptions for 33 yards and a touchdown against the New England Patriots.[36] On November 9, he had six receptions for 63 yards and two touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders.[37]

Although his numbers in receptions and yards dropped from the previous season, Thomas recorded 12 touchdowns for the second straight season.[38]

Thomas and the Broncos made the playoffs in the 2014 season.[39] They fell to the Indianapolis Colts in the Divisional Round 24–13. Thomas had six receptions for 53 yards in the loss.[40]

Jacksonville Jaguars

[edit]

2015 season

[edit]

On March 10, 2015, Thomas signed a five-year, $46 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[41]

On October 18, Thomas had seven receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans.[42] On November 19, his five-yard touchdown catch was the game-winner in Jacksonville's 19–13 victory over the Tennessee Titans.[43] On November 29, he had nine receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers.[44] On December 6, he had two receptions for 15 yards and a touchdown in another game against the Titans.[45] On December 13, he had five receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts.[46]

On the season, Thomas totaled 45 receptions for 455 yards and five touchdowns.[47]

2016 season

[edit]

Thomas started his second season in Jacksonville with five receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers on September 11.[48] On October 23, he had three receptions for 20 yards and a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders.[49] On October 27, he had three receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.[50] On November 13, he had six receptions for 24 yards and a touchdowns against the Houston Texans.[51] He was placed on injured reserve on December 10, 2016, after missing two games with a back injury.[52]

In the 2016 season, Thomas played in nine games with six starts recording 30 receptions for 281 yards and four touchdowns.[53]

Miami Dolphins

[edit]

The Jaguars traded Thomas to the Miami Dolphins for the 240th overall pick (Marquez Williams) in the 2017 NFL draft, where he signed a new two-year contract.[54] He was placed on injured reserve on December 20, 2017.[55] He played in 14 games with 12 starts, recording 41 catches for 388 yards for three touchdowns.

On March 14, 2018, Thomas was released by the Dolphins.[56]

Post-playing career

[edit]

On August 24, 2018, Thomas announced his retirement from the NFL to pursue a doctorate in psychology.[57] He is currently studying clinical health psychology at Nova Southeastern University. In addition, he joined Psychology Services Center at Nova Southeastern University in 2020 [58][59] In 2019, Thomas became the player advisory board member in the Football Players health Study Department at Harvard University. Later in 2021, he joined Memorial Rehabilitation Institute, providing clinical psychology and neuropsychological services.[60][61]

In January 2022, he co-founded NESTRE Health and Performance, a neuro-strength solutions company, where he also works as chief health and performance innovation officer. As of 2024, Thomas is the vice president of the Society for Sports Neuroscience. The society works for scientists and practitioners in furthering research-based athletic performance and brain health.[62]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Year Team GP Receiving
Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2011 DEN 5 1 5 5.0 5 0
2012 DEN 4 0 0 0.0 0 0
2013 DEN 14 65 788 12.1 74 12
2014 DEN 13 43 489 11.4 35 12
2015 JAX 12 46 455 9.9 34 5
2016 JAX 9 30 281 9.4 24 4
2017 MIA 14 41 388 9.5 27 3
Total 67 226 2,406 10.6 74 36

Personal life

[edit]

Thomas is a Christian.[63]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Julius Thomas

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Julius Thomas is a former American football tight end who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) from 2011 to 2017, earning two Pro Bowl selections during his tenure with the Denver Broncos. Born Julius Dewayne Thomas on June 27, 1988, in Stockton, California, he stands at 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 256 pounds during his playing career. Thomas initially pursued basketball at Portland State University, where he was a four-year letterwinner as a forward and appeared in 121 games, setting school records for career games played and field goal percentage. He transitioned to football late in his college career, walking on to the team in spring 2010 after expressing interest despite no prior experience; in his lone season as a tight end, he recorded 29 receptions for 453 yards and two touchdowns, earning first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors. This unconventional path from basketball to football highlighted his athletic versatility and raw potential as a late bloomer. Selected by the in the fourth round (129th overall) of the , Thomas spent his first four seasons with the team, emerging as a key red-zone target for quarterback . In 2013, he led the with 12 touchdown receptions, tying the single-season record for tight ends and earning his first nod after posting 65 catches for 788 yards; he contributed to the Broncos' appearance in , where he had four catches for 27 yards in a loss to the . The following year, , he repeated as a Pro Bowler with 12 touchdowns on 43 receptions for 489 yards. Over his career, Thomas amassed 226 receptions for 2,406 yards and 36 touchdowns across stints with the Broncos (2011–2014), (2015–2016), and (2017). Thomas retired from the in 2018 at age 30, shifting focus to and after growing interested in during his playing days. He earned a doctoral degree in from in June 2025; as of June 2025, he was completing a one-year clinical residency. In 2023, he founded Optimal Performance, a company focused on high-performance coaching and wellness consulting, drawing on his background to support athletes and professionals in mental and professional growth.

Early life

Childhood and family

Julius Thomas was born on June 27, 1988, in Stockton, California. He grew up in the same city, where his family emphasized discipline and athletic participation from an early age. Thomas participated in eight different sports by age 12, beginning with gymnastics at age four, while attending Lakeside Christian School in Stockton. Thomas is the son of Greg Thomas, a former college football receiver who played at the University of the Pacific, and Toria Thomas. He has two younger brothers, Trenton and Marcus, with whom he shared a close-knit family environment that valued perseverance and education alongside sports. His parents played a pivotal role in nurturing his competitive spirit; his mother enrolled him in swimming lessons during childhood, where he specialized in the backstroke and often received awards after meets, fostering his early discipline in athletics. Meanwhile, his father encouraged him to pursue football, drawing from his own experiences on the field, though Thomas initially gravitated toward basketball as his primary sport. The family's support extended to balancing academics and extracurriculars, with Thomas's upbringing in Stockton's community providing access to local sports programs that shaped his physical development and interests. This early exposure through family involvement laid the foundation for his athletic pursuits, particularly his initial passion for , which later influenced his college path.

High school career

Julius Thomas attended Tokay High School in , where he focused primarily on during his athletic career. As a junior in the 2004–05 season, he overcame an early-season injury to average 15 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, earning first-team all-area honors in the process. In his senior year of 2005–06, Thomas served as a key contributor for the Tokay Tigers, helping the team achieve a 25–9 record and secure the school's first and only Sac-Joaquin Section Division I with an 84–64 victory over Modesto Christian in the title game. His performance inside as a 6-foot-7 forward provided crucial rebounding and scoring presence, though specific season averages are not comprehensively documented beyond his role in the team's postseason success. Thomas had no notable involvement in football during high school, concentrating his efforts solely on basketball at that stage.

College career

Basketball at Portland State

Thomas enrolled at Portland State University in 2006, where he joined the Vikings men's basketball team as a forward. Coming from a successful high school career at Tokay High School in Lodi, California, he quickly adapted to Division I competition in the Big Sky Conference. Over four seasons from 2006 to 2010, Thomas appeared in 121 games, setting Portland State records for career games played and career field goal percentage at 66.3%. He contributed to 78 career wins, the most in school history, and earned two selections to the Big Sky All-Tournament Team in 2009 and 2010. His efficiency as a scorer and rebounder made him a key bench and starter contributor, particularly in his later years, where he emerged as a reliable inside presence. The Vikings, bolstered by Thomas's efforts, won two Big Sky Tournament championships in 2008 and 2009, earning back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths—the program's first such appearances. Thomas's statistical progression highlighted his development. As a freshman in 2006–07, he averaged 5.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game in 31 appearances, shooting 63.9% from the field. His sophomore season (2007–08) saw a slight dip to 4.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 26 games, but with an impressive 71.4% field goal percentage. He rebounded strongly as a junior in 2008–09, posting 6.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists across 33 games at 64.3% shooting, including a career-high 19 points in a win over Montana State. His senior year (2009–10) marked his breakout, averaging 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 31 games while setting a single-season school record with 67.1% field goal accuracy.
SeasonGames PlayedPoints per GameRebounds per GameAssists per GameField Goal %
2006–07 ()315.12.80.563.9%
2007–08 ()264.03.11.171.4%
2008–09 (Junior)336.95.21.464.3%
2009–10 (Senior)3110.85.91.967.1%
Academically, Thomas pursued a degree in , maintaining eligibility throughout his tenure and graduating in spring 2011. His commitment to studies alongside athletics underscored his well-rounded experience at Portland State.

Transition to football

After completing his basketball career at Portland State, where he had played four seasons and set school records for games played and , Julius Thomas decided to walk on to the ' football team during the spring of 2010 as a fifth-year senior. This pivot came despite not having played organized football since his freshman year of high school, driven by a longstanding interest in the sport that he had harbored throughout his tenure. Thomas transitioned to the position, leveraging his 6-foot-5 frame and basketball-honed skills for rapid adaptation; his prior experience notably enhanced his agility, body control, and hand-eye coordination for catching passes. In his lone season, he appeared in all 11 games, recording 29 receptions for 453 yards and 2 , including standout performances such as 7 catches for 143 yards and a 55-yard score against Montana State, and 4 receptions for 102 yards with a 39-yard versus Weber State. His contributions earned him first-team All-Big Conference honors as a newcomer. Scouting evaluations praised Thomas's athleticism derived from his basketball background, noting his explosive speed (4.68-second at the NFL Combine), soft hands, and ability to stretch the field as a mismatch for defenders, positioning him as a high-upside prospect despite his limited football experience.

Professional career

Denver Broncos tenure

Thomas was selected by the in the fourth round, 129th overall, of the , marking his entry into professional football after a unique transition from . In his rookie season of 2011, Thomas saw limited action due to injuries, appearing in five games with just one reception for five yards. The following year, , brought an increased role on special teams and as a blocker, though he appeared in 4 games without recording a reception, continuing to battle ankle issues from his debut year. These early seasons allowed Thomas to adapt to the professional level while learning the nuances of the position in a run-heavy offense under quarterback and later . Thomas's breakout came in 2013, when he emerged as a key weapon in Manning's record-setting passing attack, posting 65 receptions for 788 yards and a league-high-tying 12 touchdowns over 14 games. His performance earned him his first selection and established him as a primary red-zone threat, with multiple multi-touchdown games highlighting his athleticism and route-running precision. The Broncos' offense, which set an record with 606 points scored, relied on Thomas's contributions en route to an AFC Championship win and a berth in , where the team fell to the despite his postseason efforts of eighteen receptions for 188 yards across three games. Building on his momentum, Thomas delivered another Pro Bowl-caliber season in 2014, with 43 receptions for 489 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games. His second straight nod underscored his seamless fit in Manning's precise, high-volume passing scheme, where he often exploited mismatches against linebackers and safeties. Over his Broncos tenure, Thomas's development from a raw athlete—honed by his basketball background at Portland State, which emphasized agility and leaping ability—proved instrumental in elevating the team's production to elite levels.

Jacksonville Jaguars stint

Following his breakout performances with the , where he established himself as a prolific , Julius Thomas entered free agency and signed a five-year, $46 million contract with the on March 10, 2015, including $21 million in guaranteed money. The deal positioned Thomas as the highest-paid in the at the time, reflecting high expectations for his role in bolstering the Jaguars' passing attack during their rebuilding phase under quarterback . Thomas's 2015 season was hampered by from the outset, as he fractured a in his right hand during the preseason and missed the first four . Upon returning in Week 5, he appeared in 12 , recording 46 receptions for 455 yards and five , providing a solid but diminished output compared to his prior years. His contributions included key performances, such as nine catches for 116 yards and a against the in Week 12, though the Jaguars finished 5-11 amid ongoing offensive struggles. In 2016, Thomas faced further setbacks with an elbow injury that sidelined him for Week 4 and a subsequent back issue that limited his practice time and led to his placement on injured reserve on December 10. He played in nine games, starting six, and tallied 30 receptions for 281 yards and four touchdowns, with his most productive outing being six catches for 71 yards against the in Week 2. The Jaguars' 3-13 record underscored their continued rebuild, as Bortles and the offense grappled with inconsistency and defensive pressures.

Miami Dolphins period

Thomas was acquired by the Miami Dolphins via trade from the on February 20, 2017, in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick in the . Shortly after, on March 9, 2017, he agreed to a restructured two-year contract worth $12.2 million with the team, which included incentives and helped manage the . This move aimed to bolster Miami's position, where Thomas was expected to provide veteran production alongside quarterback . In the 2017 season, Thomas appeared in 14 games for the Dolphins, starting 12, and recorded 41 receptions for 388 yards and three touchdowns. His performance was solid but hampered by ongoing injury concerns stemming from previous issues during his Jaguars tenure, including a prior Achilles tear in 2015. However, a foot injury sustained during Week 15 against the on December 17, 2017, sidelined him for the remainder of the year; he was placed on injured reserve on December 20. This marked the culmination of a season where Thomas contributed as a reliable red-zone target but struggled with consistency amid Miami's 6-10 record. Following the season, the Dolphins released Thomas on March 14, 2018, clearing $6.6 million in cap space while absorbing a $2 million dead cap hit. The release effectively ended his time with the team, as persistent injuries limited his output and prevented a prolonged stay in Miami.

Post-playing career

Retirement from NFL

Following his release by the Miami Dolphins on March 14, 2018, tight end Julius Thomas announced his retirement from the NFL at age 30 on August 24, 2018. Thomas cited the cumulative toll of injuries as a key factor in his decision, having dealt with persistent issues including a 2016 elbow injury that sidelined him for multiple games with the , along with chronic ankle problems requiring surgery in 2012 and back ailments during his tenure there. These setbacks contributed to him missing 13 games over his final three seasons, limiting his production after a promising start. In reflecting on his seven-year professional career, Thomas expressed gratitude for the opportunities, noting his two Pro Bowl appearances in and 2014, when he established himself as a key red-zone threat with 24 touchdown receptions. Overall, he finished with 226 receptions for 2,406 yards and 36 touchdowns across stints with the , Jaguars, and Dolphins. Thomas particularly cherished the highlights from his Broncos era, including his role in their high-powered offense that led to a appearance, though they lost to the , which brought a sense of fulfillment to his exit from the league. In the immediate aftermath of his , Thomas focused on recovery and with family, allowing him to decompress after the physical and mental demands of the sport.

Pursuit of psychology doctorate

Following his from professional football in 2018, Julius Thomas enrolled in a doctoral program in at in . His studies emphasized and , drawing inspiration from his own experiences with injuries and concussions sustained during his career, which motivated him to investigate the long-term impacts of contact sports on brain trauma and neurobehavioral performance. By 2025, Thomas had made significant progress in his academic pursuits, culminating in his graduation with a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University in June 2025. He completed a one-year clinical residency by September 2025, accumulating over 2,000 hours of patient experience with individuals aged 10 to 71. During his program, he contributed to peer-reviewed research, including a 2023 study on racial disparities in pain burden among retired NFL players and investigations into the effects of concussions on cognitive function in former athletes. He also delivered talks and presentations on neuroscience, mental health, and performance optimization for athletes and high-performers. Thomas's doctoral work positioned him to pursue a career providing psychological support to former professional athletes, leveraging his expertise to address mental health challenges in sports through roles such as mental performance specialist for organizations like the NBA's San Antonio Spurs. In 2023, he founded Optimal Performance, a company focused on high-performance coaching and wellness consulting, drawing on his NFL background to support athletes and professionals in mental and professional growth.

Career statistics

Regular season

Thomas's NFL regular season performance showcased a rapid rise followed by a sharp decline influenced by injuries. In his first two seasons with the , he appeared in limited action, recording just one reception for five yards in 2011 and none in 2012. His breakout came in 2013, when he emerged as a key red-zone target for , hauling in 65 passes for 788 yards and a league-leading 12 touchdowns across 14 games. The following year, despite missing time due to an ankle injury, Thomas maintained elite production with 43 receptions for 489 yards and another 12 touchdowns in 13 games, earning consecutive nods.
YearTeamGPRECYDSTD
20115150
20124000
2013146578812
2014134348912
201512464555
20169302814
2017MIA14413883
Over his seven-season career, Thomas totaled 226 receptions for 2,406 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns. Post-2014, Thomas's output diminished significantly amid persistent injuries, including back issues that hampered his time with the in 2015 and 2016, where he managed 76 catches for 736 yards and nine scores in 21 games. In 2017 with the , he posted modest numbers of 41 receptions for 388 yards and three touchdowns in 14 appearances, reflecting ongoing physical setbacks that limited his explosiveness and role in the offense. This decline from his peak years—where he averaged over 10 yards per catch and double-digit touchdowns—highlighted the toll of injuries on his otherwise promising trajectory as a .

Postseason

Thomas made two postseason appearances during his NFL career, both with the Denver Broncos in 2013 and 2014. In the 2013 playoffs, Thomas played a prominent role in the Broncos' run to Super Bowl XLVIII. In the divisional round victory over the San Diego Chargers on January 12, 2014, he recorded six receptions for 76 yards, helping Denver secure a 24–17 win in overtime. His performance included several key catches that sustained drives against a Chargers defense that had limited the Broncos in the regular-season finale. In the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots on January 19, Thomas hauled in eight receptions for 85 yards, contributing to a 26–16 victory that advanced Denver to the Super Bowl; his yardage total was the second-highest among Broncos receivers in the game. However, in Super Bowl XLVIII against the Seattle Seahawks on February 2, Thomas managed only four receptions for 27 yards in a 43–8 loss, as Denver's offense struggled against Seattle's aggressive defense from the opening snap. Across these three games, Thomas totaled 18 receptions for 188 yards but no touchdowns, with his contributions underscoring his role as a reliable target for quarterback Peyton Manning in high-stakes matchups. The 2014 postseason marked Thomas's final playoff appearance, though it was curtailed by injuries that had plagued him late in the regular season, including an ankle issue sustained in November. Limited to the divisional round against the Indianapolis Colts on January 11, 2015, he caught six passes for 53 yards in a 24–13 defeat, serving as Manning's second-most targeted receiver behind wideout Demaryius Thomas. His output reflected ongoing recovery challenges, as he had missed four regular-season games and played in a diminished capacity upon return. Over his career, Thomas appeared in four postseason games, accumulating 24 receptions for 241 receiving yards and zero touchdowns, all with the Broncos. His playoff production, while solid in the early rounds of , highlighted the physical demands of postseason football, particularly amid the injury setbacks that defined his 2014 campaign.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Julius Thomas was born on June 27, 1988, in , to parents Greg Thomas and Toria Wyrick-Thomas. He grew up with two younger brothers, Marcus and Trenton, in a supportive household that emphasized perseverance and multifaceted development. His father, a former college and high school principal, and stepmother Deborah provided practical encouragement, including daily drives to school and attendance at key events. Thomas's family offered unwavering support throughout his NFL career, particularly with the . His mother instilled a motivational —"I can, I can, I know I can"—that helped build his confidence from youth sports to professional success, while his parents traveled to games, including the AFC championship and preparations. Greg Thomas maintained a collection of memorabilia and provided post-game insights, reinforcing the family's role in his journey. Toria also backed his charitable efforts, such as the Reading Equates Success foundation. Details about Thomas's own and children remain private, with no or statements confirming a or offspring as of 2025. His relocation to in pursuit of advanced education aligned with personal goals but was not explicitly tied to considerations in available accounts. The 's emphasis on collective achievement continued to influence his post-career endeavors, though specific retirement support from relatives is not widely documented.

Interests and motivations

Thomas developed a strong interest in advocacy during his career, where he witnessed the intense stress, pressure, and anxiety faced by athletes, prompting him to address these challenges through education and support. This passion was further fueled by his observations of teammates struggling with needs and the long-term effects of brain trauma from contact sports. He contributed to research on (CTE) and racial disparities in pain burden among players, aiming to improve athlete well-being through scientific insights. Beyond advocacy, Thomas has been involved in initiatives supporting athlete transitions and health, including his role in the Pro Athlete Community (PAC), a network that provides mentorship, education, and opportunities for professional athletes navigating post-career life. As a co-founder of NESTRE Health and Performance, he focuses on mental performance training to help athletes and high-performers overcome challenges in sports and beyond. Earlier in his career, he established the Reading Equates to Success Foundation in 2013 to promote literacy among children, reflecting a broader commitment to community impact. Thomas maintains a connection to basketball, his college sport at , where he participated in tournaments and considered an overseas professional career before football. Post-NFL, he has channeled this background into coaching roles, serving as mental performance coach for the NBA's and providing performance consulting across sports leagues. His motivations for shifting careers stemmed from recovery—particularly an injury-plagued 2016 season that limited his play—and a deep desire to help others avoid similar physical and mental tolls experienced in the . This drive led him to retire at age 30 and pursue advanced studies in psychology as an extension of his advocacy efforts.

References

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  4. https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/football-julius-thomas-journey-into-self
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  6. https://www.lodinews.com/sports/article_63e9db82-31d2-56d6-a6e5-f7c1c629549e.html
  7. https://www.recordnet.com/story/sports/pro/2014/02/02/tokay-s-thomas-made-super/39613724007/
  8. https://www.denverpost.com/2014/09/11/julius-thomas-parents-played-vital-role-in-his-rise-to-nfl-stardom/
  9. https://www.si.com/nfl/2014/01/09/julius-thomas-denver-broncos-2013-playoffs
  10. https://www.recordnet.com/story/sports/2005/05/02/2004-05-all-area-boys/50671859007/
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  16. https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Julius-Thomas/Summary/13693
  17. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/661634-interview-and-profile-of-julius-thomas-te-portland-state
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  20. http://archive.nytimes.com/fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/25/julius-thomas-the-latest-basketball-tight-end/
  21. https://goviks.com/news/2013/9/5/FB_0905135606.aspx
  22. https://www.nfl.com/prospects/julius-thomas/32005448-4f26-5401-7b32-4c1e755e81a5
  23. https://www.milehighreport.com/2023/12/15/24003316/catching-up-with-former-broncos-te-julius-thomas
  24. https://www.nfl.com/news/julius-thomas-retiring-to-pursue-phd-in-psychology-0ap3000000950534
  25. https://www.nfl.com/news/julius-thomas-still-learning-after-breakout-with-denver-broncos-0ap2000000359059
  26. https://www.nfl.com/news/julius-thomas-and-peyton-manning-super-sunday-s-odd-couple-0ap2000000320400
  27. https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/109680/2014-nfl-pro-bowl-selections
  28. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/14204/julius-thomas
  29. https://overthecap.com/player/julius-thomas/26
  30. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/jaguars/2015/03/11/julius-thomas-signs-broncos-jared-odrick-jeremy-parnell-davon-house/70144510/
  31. https://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/2016/06/ex-portland_state_vikings_star.html
  32. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomJu00/gamelog/2015/
  33. https://www.espn.com/blog/afcsouth/post/_/id/66184/julius-thomas-time-with-the-jaguars-could-be-over
  34. https://www.nfl.com/news/jaguars-place-julius-thomas-jared-odrick-on-ir-0ap3000000754311
  35. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomJu00/gamelog/2016/
  36. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18727495/jacksonville-jaguars-trade-tight-end-julius-thomas-miami-dolphins
  37. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/7848/julius-thomas
  38. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/dolphins-place-jermon-bushrod-julius-thomas-on-ir
  39. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22765039/miami-dolphins-release-julius-thomas-officially-cut-ndamukong-suh
  40. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24467174/tight-end-julius-thomas-retiring-study-psychology-cte
  41. https://www.nfl.com/news/julius-thomas-injuries-won-t-hold-me-back-in-miami-0ap3000000792963
  42. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1731085-why-julius-thomas-will-be-denver-broncos-breakout-star-in-2013
  43. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/14204/julius-thomas
  44. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/08/24/julius-thomas-retires-nfl-phd-psychology-brain-trauma/1087742002/
  45. https://news.nova.edu/in-the-news/former-nfl-tight-end-nsu-grad-featured-in-usa-today/
  46. https://www.statnews.com/2023/06/15/pain-nfl-players-racial-disparities-julius-thomas/
  47. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11503077/
  48. https://proathletecommunity.com/team-member/julius-thomas/
  49. https://nestreperformance.com/about/
  50. https://www.forbes.com/sites/brookchoulet/2024/09/24/nfl-to-nba-julius-thomas-joins-spurs-as-mental-performance-specialist/
  51. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201401120den.htm
  52. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201401190den.htm
  53. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201402020den.htm
  54. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomJu00/gamelog/post/
  55. https://www.nfl.com/news/julius-thomas-emmanuel-sanders-montee-ball-injured-0ap3000000428926
  56. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201501110den.htm
  57. https://www.nfl.com/players/julius-thomas/stats/logs/
  58. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/09/12/julius-thomas-portland-state/2805989/
  59. https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/broncos/2025/08/14/broncos-julius-thomas-helping-players-transition-after-nfl/85616765007/
  60. https://footballplayershealth.harvard.edu/team/julius-thomas/
  61. https://nflpa.com/posts/julius-thomas-named-nflpa-community-mvp
  62. https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/julius-thomas-retires-nfl-psychology-career/
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