Patrick Smyth, Executive Director of Media Relations (patrick.smyth@broncos.nfl.net / 303-264-5536)
Rebecca Villanueva, Media Services Manager (rebecca.villanueva@broncos.nfl.net / 303-264-5598)
Erich Schubert, Media Relations Manager (erich.schubert@broncos.nfl.net / 303-264-5503)
On his family’s situation with the Black Forest fire near Colorado Springs
“The family’s safe. They’re back at their home, just waiting on the [evacuation] notice. Right now, just hoping the winds don’t change, that the fire dies down and they get some rain down there.”
On the condition of his family’s home
“The house is still intact. The family’s fine and everyone’s safe.”
On having to go through this for a second consecutive summer
“Can’t believe it. It’s unbelievable that Colorado’s had this many fires this soon. It’s a devastating fire down there in Black Forest and my thoughts and prayers go out to those families.”
On how his family is handing going through another fire
“It’s tough. It was tough going through it the first time. I know the first time, we didn’t take it as seriously. We just thought it’d pass over and the firefighters would take care of it. The second time, it was really scary and they packed up real quick and got ready to go.”
On maintaining his focus on football
“You’ve got to separate things. You’ve just got to separate your life at home and your life on the football field. You’ve got to focus when you’re out here and then when you’re at home, you’ve got to take care of your family business.”
On other friends or family besides his grandparents who are affected
“Being an [Air Force] Academy guy, I’ve got a lot of friends and family down there. I know a lot of people were moving out and evacuating and getting their friends together. It was a tough time for a lot of my close friends.”
On his emotions during the situation
“It was tough. I was in camp all day. I was just trying between meetings to grab a phone real quick. Check up on some updates and get ahold of my family and make sure that they were safe.”
On checking in with his family
“Every time I get the opportunity. We’re at practice a lot and we’ve got to lift and we’ve got meetings, but as soon as I can, I’m always checking on my family and seeing how they’re doing.”
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