Broncos nominate former player Keith Bishop for Salute to Service award

The Broncos nominated former offensive lineman and current Vice President of Security Keith Bishop for the 2024 Salute to Service.

The Denver Broncos have nominated former offensive lineman and current Vice President of Security Keith Bishop for the 2024 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA nominee, the team announced Friday.

“After his retirement from a ten-year NFL career, Keith worked in federal law enforcement as a special agent for the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration for 20 years,” according to a press release from the team. “He was assigned as the DEA Assistant Regional Director/Assistant Special Agent in Charge and Country Attache at the DEA office in Kabul, Afghanistan (2008-2012).”

In his role with the Broncos, Bishop works closely with first responders at all levels to protect the members of the team. His appreciation for members of the military goes far beyond his years in government service.

“His personal support for the military reaches far into the community, as Bishop supports military-serving organizations including Freedom Service Dogs (FSD) and the Center for American Values,” said the team’s statement. “FSD transforms lives by providing custom-trained service dogs to assist veterans, first responders and active-duty service members who have post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and loss of limbs or mobility due to combat-related injuries.

“The Center for American Values’ mission is to honor the sacrifices made by civilians and veterans alike to help sustain America’s values of honor, integrity and patriotism. Bishop is a committed board member for the center and was a featured speaker for the On Values speaker series in February of 2024. For these reasons and more, Keith has earned the Broncos’ nomination for the 2024 Salute to Service Award.”

This marks the second year in a row the Broncos have nominated a former player for the Salute to Service award. Denver nominated Hall of Famer Randy Gradishar for the honor in 2023.

The winner of the award will be revealed during NFL Honors before the Super Bowl in February.

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Keith Bishop was the best player to wear No. 54 for the Broncos

A two-time Pro Bowl, guard Keith Bishop helped the Broncos reach three Super Bowls during his 10-year career in Denver.

Keith Bishop was the best player to ever wear jersey No. 54 with the Denver Broncos.

Bishop was drafted by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 1980 NFL draft out of Baylor. He went on to spend 10 years in Denver, playing 129 games with 87 starts. The guard helped the Broncos reach the Super Bowl in 1986, 1987 and 1989 before hanging up his cleats.

Bishop now serves as the team’s vice president of security.

Brandon Marshall also deserves an honorable mention. After playing college football at Nevada, Marshall was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL draft. After failing to make Jacksonville’s roster in 2013, the linebacker was picked up by the Broncos.

Marshall went on to play spend seasons in Denver, playing in 69 games with 63 starts. He totaled 416 tackles, 21 pass breakups, 6.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions with the Broncos. Marshall was also a 16-game starter in 2015 when Denver won Super Bowl 50.

Bishop never won a Super Bowl, but he was a two-time Pro Bowler and a member of the Broncos’ 50th Anniversary Team, so he gets the nod as the best player to ever wear No. 54 for the Broncos.

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