The Denver Broncos were playing the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. Ten years ago, on January 8, they were in a far more meaningful game.
On that date in 2012, the Broncos faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC Wild-Card playoff game.
Denver scored 20 points in the second quarter — getting a TD pass and run from one Tim Tebow — to take a 20-6 lead into the break.
Pittsburgh rallied and scored 10 straight points in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 23.
The playoff contest was headed for overtime. It would last one play.
Tebow found Demaryius Thomas crossing over the middle and the great Broncos wide receiver did the rest.
The play was good for 80 yards, a 29-23 victory and sent Denver into the Divisional round, where it lost to New England.
It was by far the highlight of Tebow’s NFL career.
Thomas had four catches for 204 yards in the game. In nine seasons as a Bronco, he caught 665 passes in the regular season for 9.055 yards and 60 TDs.
He also caught 53 passes in the postseason for 759 yards and 6 touchdowns, none more famous than the reception from Tebow.
Tragically, Thomas passed away on December 9, 2021, at the age of 33.
