When Broncos rookie quarterback Drew Lock made his NFL debut in a 23-20 win over the Chargers on Sunday, his parents — Andy and Laura — were in the stands. They went to his games at Missouri and they weren’t about to miss his first NFL start.
“It means the world to me that they end up coming to all these games for me,” Lock said after the win. “They did in college and I’m sure they’re going to try to keep doing that in the NFL. To be able to have them there, to enjoy this night, it’s so special. I ended up making eye contact with them after the second touchdown.”
Andy Lock was an offensive lineman at Missouri from 1986-89. He went undrafted after suffering a leg injury as a senior and was invited to camp by the Giants. Andy didn’t make New York’s 53-man roster and his NFL dream died. His son’s dream is very much alive.
“Just seeing my dad — he was an undrafted guy and got to play a couple preseason games — he wanted to make it to the big stage and I think for him to see his son go out and do that and live out the dream that he wanted to fulfill is pretty cool for him,” Lock said. “I’m just happy I can do this for him and for everyone here as well.”
Broncos rookie guard Dalton Risner knows how much Lock’s debut meant to his family.
“[I’m] really proud for him, really proud for his family, really proud for his dad Andy,” Risner said Sunday. “I know they were all here and that was a big win for them, and I know Drew had a lot to prove after not going where he wanted in the draft, so I’m excited for him.”
Lock was selected by Denver in the second round of April’s draft and spent the first half of the season on injured reserve with a thumb injury. He’s healthy now and is expected to remain the start for the rest of the season. Lock’s family — and Broncos fans — hope the young quarterback remains the starter for many years to come.
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