Broncos fly Shelby Harris home to see the birth of his child.
The Denver Broncos lost to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, but that’s hardly the reason it will be a day defensive lineman Shelby Harris will never forget.
Harris came out against the Chargers in Los Angeles and had a tremendous game with four tackles, two batted passes, one of the hardest hits on a QB we’ve seen all year, and some tremendous pressure as the Broncos made a comeback in the second half of the game.
It wasn’t like playing with urgency could get him out of there any faster, but Harris was on a mission to get that game over with as soon as possible.
Why?
He needed to get back to Denver where his wife was about to give birth to their son. That may not have happened had Harris waited with the rest of the team to get on the team charter and go back to Denver as scheduled.
The Broncos pulled the necessary strings and got Harris home in time to be in the room with his wife and witness the birth of his son in person.
This is classy. Per source, Broncos have arranged for Shelby Harris to take a private plane back to Denver immediately after game so he can be there with his wife for birth of their son. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) December 27, 2020
Harris confirmed this news on his own Twitter page after Shelby Jr. was introduced to the world late on December 27.
I want to thank the @Broncos Joe Ellis John Elway and everyone involved for making sure I got home to be there for the birth of my son such a special moment with my family I’ll forever be grateful 🙌🏾🙌🏾 Thank you again
— Shelby Harris (@ShelbyHarris93) December 28, 2020
Stephanie Harris and newborn son Shelby Lamar Harris Jr. (photo courtesy of Shelby Sr). #9sports pic.twitter.com/TTrpZUFg8l
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) December 28, 2020
Big congratulations are in order for Shelby and Stephanie, and it’s a testament to the fortitude of both that Shelby was able to play and play exceptionally well in the Broncos’ game against the Chargers.
It’s also interesting to think about with all of the talk of ownership among Broncos fans lately (or lack thereof) and how many fans are saying what Pat Bowlen would think of the team in its current state, what he would approve of and what he wouldn’t.
This gesture by the Broncos feels like a very Pat Bowlen-like move.
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Kudos to the Broncos and everyone involved for making this happen and being mindful that the guys who wear orange and blue on Sundays are so much more than just football players.