Broncos players, coaches join demonstration in Denver

DENVER » Denver Broncos coaches and players marched and spoke out against racism and police brutality at a protest in downtown Denver on Saturday.

The players wore black shirts with the fist of power image and “Justice for George Floyd” emblazoned on the front and the words, “If you ain’t with us, you against us” on the back.

All of them wore face masks in accordance with coronavirus mitigation efforts, and most of the players’ masks were black with the phrase “I can’t breathe” in white lettering.

Safety Kareem Jackson was instrumental in organizing the team’s appearance at Civic Center Park on the 10th day of demonstrations sparked by the death of Floyd, a handcuffed black man in Minneapolis who died after a white police officer knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes.

Safety Justin Simmons flew in from Florida to join dozens of his teammates at the demonstration that included quarterback Drew Lock and first-round draft pick Jerry Jeudy, making his first trip to Denver.

Also in attendance were team president Joe Ellis, vice president of strategic initiatives Brittany Bowlen, head coach Vic Fangio, coordinators Pat Shurmur and Ed Donatell and several assistant coaches.

Simmons and linebackers Von Miller, Alexander Johnson and Jeremiah Attaochu were among the Broncos who spoke to the crowd of thousands from the steps of the Greek Amphitheater. Afterward, the team marched with other demonstrators through downtown streets, fists raised and chanting, “I can’t breathe!” and “Black lives matter!”

Simmons thanked his “fellow black brothers and sisters,” asked them to look around and see the support they had and implored them to “keep fighting the good fight.”

“I understand the grief, I understand the pain, I’ve lived it, I’ve been a part of it,” Simmons said. “I’m standing here today telling you hate does not drive out hate, OK? ... We have to make sure we stick together . ... This is making a difference.”

Elway calls for change

ENGLEWOOD, COLO. » John Elway says he’s no longer staying on the sidelines and is “joining with the players, coaches and our organization in speaking up against racism, police brutality and any injustice against the black community.”

The comments from the Broncos’ general manager came in a lengthy Twitter post at the end of a tempestuous week in which his head coach, Vic Fangio, drew widespread condemnation for suggesting he didn’t see racism or discrimination in the NFL.

Fangio apologized a day later, saying he only meant to suggest the league was a meritocracy on the field and in the locker room and should have recognized the lack of minority head coaches, general managers, team presidents and owners in the country’s most popular sport.