Bid the Denver Broncos Farewell Before Super Bowl XLVIII

Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard (right) kisses his wife Veronica Whitehead following the game against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Patriots 26-16. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

The Denver Broncos held their last practice in Denver for the season on Saturday morning.

Kicker Matt Prater was still absent due to a virus.

“Yeah, we have hand washers, sanitation devices all over the building,” head coach John Fox said. “We sent him home. He’s going to be fine for the game. Hopefully he feels much better tomorrow morning as we prepare to fly to New Jersey.”

The Broncos will officially be pulled from their normal routine with game preparations continuing away from home. The team has been addressed by numerous speakers including former Bronco Brian Dawkins, who appeared in the Eagles’ last Super Bowl.

“Besides Champ, I would say ‘B-Dawk’ is a guy everybody wanted to win for,” Wesley Woodyard said. “It’s good to hear him share his experience of what he had in the Super Bowl. I think it went in and a lot of people took it to heart.”

Dawkins talked about finding that balance between enjoying the Super Bowl experience and focusing on the big game, and Fox has drilled the same sentiment into players’ heads this week.

“I think you want guys to enjoy it and be with their families,” Fox said. “You don’t want to go there and be miserable all week and miserable with your family. It’s a fine line. They understand it. Enjoy your family, but it’s not Spring Break.”

The Broncos depart for New Jersey on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m.. If you would like to bid the team farewell, you may show up at the back of Dove Valley headquarters outside of Potomac Street between the team store and the players’ parking lot.

The Broncos are due to arrive in New Jersey between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. EST.