Tag: Virus

Ex-Broncos DE Derek Wolfe donates $10,000 to Denver YMCA’s COVID-19 relief efforts

Former Broncos defender Derek Wolfe has donated $10,000 through his foundation to the Denver-Metro YMCA’s COVID-19 Relief Campaign. 

Former Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe announced Tuesday that he has donated $10,000 through his foundation to the Denver-Metro YMCA’s COVID-19 Relief Campaign.

“I may no longer be a Denver Bronco but we still consider Denver our home,” Wolfe says in a video posted on his Twitter page. “After spending eight seasons here, we want to help this community in every way we can.

“The Y has the ability to aid in multiple ways and locations throughout the metro area. We would love to encourage those who are able to donate to join our mission. All funds that are donated will go toward the YMCA’s Metro-Denver emergency COVID relief efforts.”

Wolfe, 30, spent the first eight years of his career with the Broncos, totaling 299 tackles and 33 sacks. He was a key part of the team’s defense that led the Broncos to a win in Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season. Wolfe signed a one-year deal with the Ravens in March.

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Peyton Manning shares message of encouragement for health care workers

“I can’t even imagine how we would make it through this without you,” Peyton Manning said.

As the country continues to battle COVID-19, former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning took some time on Monday to create a video of encouragement for the medical staff at University of Colorado Hospital.

‘Hi, this is Peyton Manning,” the former QB says in the video, as if anyone could mistake him for someone else, “and I went to send a heartfelt message of appreciation to all the doctors, nurses and staff at UCHealth. You are all working endless hours to keep us safe and healthy and I can’t even imagine how we would make it through this without you.

“Please know that all of you are in my prayers, you have my gratitude and that of an entire community. Stay safe, stay strong and thank you again for your tremendous work and efforts.”

Manning previously donated blood at Children’s Hospital Colorado, made a donation to HelpColoradoNow.org and donated 500 meals for healthcare workers and first responders in Indianapolis, Indiana.

During his time as a QB in the NFL, Manning won Super Bowls with the Colts and Broncos. He is the only starting QB in NFL history to have won a Super Bowl with two different teams.

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Before isolating, Broncos OL Graham Glasgow stocked up on home workout equipment

“I kind of had a feeling that stuff was kind of going to go in this direction, so I went out and I bought a little bit of some weights.”

With NFL facilities closed and many gyms shut down across the country, players have been left to stay in shape on their on during a unique offseason.

Before self-isolating, Broncos offensive lineman Graham Glasgow stocked up on home workout equipment so he can continue working out during COVID-19.

“I kind of had a feeling that stuff was kind of going to go in this direction, so I went out and I bought a little bit of some weights, a lot of kettlebells,” Glasgow said during a conference call with reporters on March 24. “I’ve been doing a lot of kettlebell work. Then I’ve been going on some walks and runs with my dog. We have a giant field next to my little house here, so I go out into the field and do what I need to do.

“It’s definitely weird . . . it’s weird that you can’t really do a lot of stuff that you’re normally doing or that we might not start OTAs or whatever right away. It’s just something that everyone has to deal with. It’s probably for the best that people are staying safe.”

Whenever teams are allowed to report to facilities again, Glasgow should be in shape for Denver’s tweaked offseason program. Glasgow is projected to serve as the team’s starting right guard this season but can also play center if needed.

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With no OTAs, Broncos QB Jeff Driskel is throwing with his brother in Orlando

Broncos backup quarterback Jeff Driskel is having his brother “pay rent” by catching passes from him.

In an effort to slow down the spread of COVID-19, the NFL has suspended offseason programs indefinitely. Broncos starting quarterback Drew Lock had planned to get together with teammates for offseason workouts but he decided it wouldn’t be socially responsible for them to travel to a central location.

So Denver players are staying put and working out on their own. Broncos backup quarterback Jeff Driskel is in Orlando, working out with his brother, Jason.

“I’m pretty hunkered down in the house doing my workout stuff like weights and running, stuff like that just at my house and the little park that’s near my house,” Driskel said during a conference call with reporters on March 26. “My brother is actually — he’s staying with me right now because he was in Miami. Miami was kind of the worst of it in Florida.

“He’s working remotely from my house right now. He’s paying rent in the form of catching me up. That’s how I’m keeping my arm alive and moving. It is a lot different. It’s something we all have to adapt to. We just have to figure it out on the move.”

Driskel also sent his home workout routine to Lock to help his new teammate stay in shape during isolation. The league remains hopeful that the 2020 season will still go on as scheduled but it remains to be seen if that will be practical. In the meantime, players will continue preparing as if the season will take place as scheduled.

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Broncos coaches embrace ‘new normal’ with home offices

Broncos coaches are meeting with NFL draft prospects through video calls from their home offices.

In an effort to slow down COVID-19, the NFL has closed team facilities and announced that the draft will be held in a fully virtual format.

Teams won’t be allowed to host prospects on pre-draft visits so the Broncos are meeting with players via video calls. With their facility closed, Denver’s coaches are working on pre-draft prep from home offices:

Zach Azzanni spent 18 years coaching in college before joining the Bears’ staff in 2017. One year later, he was hired by Denver.

Azzanni is now entering his third year as the Broncos’ wide receivers coach. Last season, Denver wide receiver Courtland Sutton earned a Pro Bowl berth after catching 72 passes for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns.

Azzanni is now helping the team search for more talented WRs.

The Broncos have already had calls or scheduled calls with cornerback Kristian Fulton, offensive lineman Matt Hennessy, offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland, defensive lineman Leki Fotu and linebacker Joe Bachie.

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Peyton Manning, Brandon Stokley donate blood at Children’s Hospital Colorado

Former Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and wide receiver Brandon Stokley donated blood at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Former Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and wide receiver Brandon Stokley donated blood at Children’s Hospital Colorado on Thursday. Manning and Stokley were teammates with the Indianapolis Colts (2003-06) and again in Denver (2012).

Manning also made a donation to HelpColoradoNow.org and he donated 500 meals for healthcare workers and first responders who work at the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in St. Vincent Indianapolis.

“These times are certainly hard for everyone,” Manning said in a video message to Coloradans last month. “But I want to encourage you all to keep a positive attitude and to help your fellow Coloradans in need.

“You can volunteer, donate blood, or join me by making a contribution at HelpColoradoNow.org. Colorado needs your help more than ever. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay at home.”

Manning, 44, retired from the NFL after winning Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos. He will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year.

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Broncos will give season ticket holders refund or future credit if COVID-19 impacts games

If NFL games are canceled or played without fans this fall, Broncos season ticket holders will get refunds or future credit.

COVID-19 has shut down sports across the world but the NFL has remained optimistic that things will be better in time for its fall season. The league has already said it will announce the 2020 schedule no later than May 9 and the NFL expects to play an uninterrupted season.

That’s what the league is saying publicly, anyway. Behind closed doors, the NFL has to be preparing for the possibility for games to be delayed or canceled.

In a letter to season ticket holders this week, the Broncos told fans that they anticipate “an uninterrupted 2020 schedule,” according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Denver might anticipate an uninterrupted season but that hasn’t stopped the team from preparing for an interrupted one. In that same letter to season ticket holders, the Broncos informed fans that “if a game is canceled or is played in conditions in which fans are prohibited from attending, season-ticket holders would get a full refund or future credit,” according to Klis.

Whether the NFL is willing to publicly admit it or not, the coronavirus has put its season in jeopardy. Denver fans won’t lose money because of it.

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Broncos might not have much off an offseason program this year

The NFL is unlikely to have OTAs this offseason because of COVID-19.

NFL facilities have been closed down and organized team activities and workouts have been put on hold in response to COVID-19.

There seems to be a good chance that teams might not be able to do anything with players until training camp — and there’s no guarantee that training camp will start on time, either.

The Broncos — and every other NFL team — are adjusting.

“Players right now are struggling at times to find a place to work out because most of the gyms and places where they would go for that have been closed down,” coach Vic Fangio said during a conference call with reporters on March 31. “I have talked to a bunch of the players in the last week or so. A lot of them are finding ways to get it done.”

In addition to staying in shape, Denver players will also have playbooks to learn. The team will be sending out digital playbooks.

“I’m sure we’ll come up with something to communicate with the players via the iPads, Skype and all that good stuff,” Fangio said. “We’ll figure that out. We don’t have the total plan yet, but we are in the process of getting the players their iPads so they can receive stuff from us in the next couple of months.”

In a normal offseason, training camps usually begin in mid-July. It remains to be seen if the NFL will be able to follow a similar schedule this year.

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Former Broncos WR Orlando McDaniel dies from coronavirus complications

Former Broncos wide receiver Orlando McDaniel has died after battling the coronavirus.

Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Orlando McDaniel died from “complications related to the coronavirus” on Friday evening, according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach. He was 59.

Jim Saccomano, the Broncos’ former vice president of public relations, shared the news on Twitter on Saturday evening.

McDaniel played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the Broncos in the second round of the 1982 NFL draft. At LSU, McDaniel caught 64 passes for 1,184 yards and three touchdowns from 1978-81.

McDaniel dressed for three games in Denver as a rookie but did not record any stats on offense.

In addition to playing football at LSU, McDaniel was also a star in track. In 2003, McDaniel founded the North Texas Cheetahs Youth Track Club.

“We’re fortunate that people like him get involved with our youth,” LSU track and field coach Dennis Shaver told ESPN. “He was one of the most important people in our sport . . . . He’s sorely going to be missed.”

Peyton Manning shares word of encouragement to Colorado

“I want to encourage you all to keep a positive attitude and to help your fellow Coloradans in need,” ex-Broncos QB Peyton Manning said.

Former Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning shared a message of encouragement to Coloradans on the team’s official Twitter page on Friday afternoon.

“These times are certainly hard for everyone,” Manning said. “But I want to encourage you all to keep a positive attitude and to help your fellow Coloradans in need.

“You can volunteer, donate blood, or join me by making a contribution at helpcoloradonow.org. Colorado needs your help more than ever. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay at home.”

The Broncos have donated $500,000 to the Colorado COVID Relief Fund and team president of football operations/general manager John Elway has personally donated $50,000 to the fund.

Denver safety Justin Simmons made a $10,000 donation to the Denver Public Schools Foundation’s Food Security Fund and kicker Brandon McManus donated 20,000 meals to the Food Bank of the Rockies.

The Broncos also donated 100,000 meals to the food bank and the team held a Personal Protective Equipment Drive at Empower Field at Mile High earlier this month.

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