Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye went undrafted in 2013 and was a longshot to make the Houston Texans’ 53-man roster. He overcame those long odds and made the Texans’ team and won a starting job.
Bouye has been an underdog for most of his career and he has kept an underdog mentality even after arriving in Denver.
“Leaving Houston, I was told I was a one-year wonder,” Bouye said on May 14. “After whatever happened in Houston, I ended up becoming an All-Pro. They always said it was the scheme. It’s just always in my mind, I’m going to have to prove somebody wrong. I embrace that. I love it.”
Bouye left the Texans to sign a five-year, $67.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017. He went on to earn a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro honors in Jacksonville. Now with the Broncos, he will be tasked with replacing future Ring of Famer Chris Harris.
Bouye still has doubters — and they still motivate him.
“That’s what helps me get up early in the morning, even going into Year 8, acting like I’m coming into the league and just grinding,” Bouye said. “It’s what motivates me on the inside. I believe that chip on my shoulder is why I’m still here, and I’m definitely out to prove a lot of people wrong.”
Bouye, 28, has totaled 315 tackles and 14 interceptions in his career. He’s under contract in Denver through the 2021 season.
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