Broncos named one of four finalists for 2021 Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year Award

Miles

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2019
2,455
0
mleqemd4mqyzjejha0c6


ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — For the second consecutive year, the Denver Broncos are up for one of the most prestigious awards in sports.


On Wednesday, ESPN announced that the Broncos are again one of four finalists for the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year Award, which honors an organization for its continued devotion to making an impact in its community.


The Broncos are joined by the Atlanta Dream, New York City Football Club and Toronto Blue Jays as finalists for the award, which is given out annually to the sports franchise that best shows how the team spirit can make a significant impact on a community or cause. Each finalist will receive $25,000, and the winner will receive a $100,000 grant to be put toward their continuing community endeavors. The Broncos and the other finalists will be featured in an ABC special on July 24.


"The Broncos' recognition as a finalist for ESPN's Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year — for the second year in a row — speaks to the consistent and unparalleled commitment of our players, staff and partners to serving our community," Broncos President and CEO Joe Ellis said. "During such a challenging and unprecedented year, we were inspired by the dedication of so many within our organization impacting the areas of COVID-19 relief, social justice, youth development and more.


"I want to specifically applaud the players and our community development staff — Allie Engelken, Liz Jeralds, Bobby Mestas and Katie Shuster — for adapting our outreach in a truly meaningful and thoughtful way. When it was needed most, our organization worked together and rose to the occasion by providing such remarkable support to our community."


The year started out like almost any other in this area. The Broncos' Pro Bowlers took part in events in Orlando, and Justin Simmons participated in a Huddle for 100 event with other Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees at a Boys & Girls Club event in Miami during the week of Super Bowl LV. Back in Denver, Bradley Chubb began a series of visits to Boys & Girls Clubs in the metro Denver area and Head Coach Vic Fangio held a meet-and-greet at the Arapahoe Sheriff's Office as part of Random Acts of Kindness Week.


But after that, the landscape of the country changed, as the novel coronavirus made its way to the U.S.


With much of the country entering an extensive quarantine period to try to contain the pandemic, the Broncos' community efforts went through a significant shift, as well. In-person efforts were limited largely to events like donation of personal protective equipment (PPE), a Food Bank of the Rockies mobile pantry and the like.


But curtailing the extent of their community work was not an option; like so many others, the Broncos' community department shifted their methods to the ones that became most feasible. In place of in-person hospital visits, players did virtual visits over video-chatting services to stay connected with patients of all ages. Of the more than 850 hours volunteered through 744 opportunities, more than 230 came over video or Zoom.
 
Top