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Justin Simmons once again is nominated for a prestigious award

By Cameron Parker

DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 31: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos takes the field before the game against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field At Mile High on October 31, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 31: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos takes the field before the game against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field At Mile High on October 31, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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For the third time it should come as no surprise the Denver Broncos named Justin Simmons as their Walter Payton Man of the Year candidate.

Justin Simmons, the football player, is regarded by many to be one of the most talented safeties in the NFL. Simmons is also the current face of the franchise for the Denver Broncos organization. As the face of the franchise comes expectations and pressure. However, through everything he’s done on the field Simmons’ consistent work in the community makes it a better place than he found it is truly elite of the elite.

Simmons understands as a God-fearing individual that his time on this earth is valuable. One of the most important things he said to me is saving souls. The simple act of caring goes a long way to helping change a person’s life. When there is a cause much greater than yourself it makes it gratifying to see it all unfold.

Back in 2020, Justin Simmons and his wife Taryn created the Justin Simmons Foundation. It is a foundation that is “dedicated to mentoring young people, promoting the benefits of youth sports, supporting youth education and other charitable initiatives.” Simmons is a two-time award-winning recipient of the Community Ambassador Award (2017 and 2018) and the Denver Broncos’ first three-time winner of the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award (2017, 2019, and 2020).

To understand Simmons’ impact on people and the community let me talk about the moment I met Justin for the first time.

It was a typical signing and radio appearance event at Buffalo Wild Wings. Once the signing happened during a radio break every fan took a piece of Denver Broncos memorabilia to have Simmons sign it. It was my turn and gave my memorabilia to let Simmons sign it. It didn’t end there.

Simmons had to go back on the air, but before he did Simmons mentioned to stay after so he and I could talk more. After the radio show was done Simmons and I conversed for close to 20 minutes talking about not even football, but life and his faith. The point is Simmons made extra time and made good on his promise to talk afterward.

He’s been one of my favorite people for this exact reason. It’s one thing to say he cares about the person next to him and the community, but it’s another thing to see it happen.

The NFL MVP is the most prestigious award for the league’s valuable player; however, the Walter Payton Man of the Year award has been my personal favorite due to players caring about a cause greater than themselves.

Simmons has embodied this stepping onto a football field. It is also the true Pat Bowlen way. This is currently one of the reasons I laugh when people say Simmons cannot be a Face of the Franchise due to him being a safety. As stated above, Simmons has steadily shown the dedication and determination to “heal the world.”

One of my best friends Mario Vetanze came up with that slogan during 2020. It was also a nice touch to see Simmons wearing one of Mario’s hoodies which always go toward a great cause.

Both he and Mario teamed up to do a hoodie theme with his Justin Simmons Foundation on the hoodie. All proceeds went to the Simmons Foundation.

The Denver Broncos have only had one three-time, Walter Payton Man of the Year candidate, before Justin Simmons and it was former Broncos linebacker, Wesley Woodyard. Denver has had 14 nominations before as a franchise. Champ Bailey, Rod Smith, Woodyard, and Simmons are the only players to be nominated multiple times.

This award as prestigious as it is should also not forget the countless Denver Broncos players who continue to serve in their respected communities. The Broncos organization has done a tremendous job focusing on important issues and helping change the world. Simmons has been front and center of it along with many others who are also deserving as well for the award.

Congratulations Justin on being a three-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee by the Denver Broncos.

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