Justin Simmons retires as Bronco, ‘grateful’ for send-off from team
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Ten years to the day from when the Denver Broncos chosen a Boston College security named Justin Simmons With the ultimate decide of the third spherical of the 2016 NFL draft, he stated his formal goodbye to the NFL on Wednesday.
Simmons, who performed eight seasons for the Broncos and one with the Atlanta Falconsstated that he was “so grateful and appreciative” for the send-off, in entrance of his household and various members of the Broncos however that in some methods “it is more than I deserve.”
He had earlier introduced he was retiring as a Bronco in a post to Instagramsaying in an accompanying video that, “being a Denver Bronco was more than just a team. It was my heart, my home and my story.”
Simmons, chosen with the No. 98 decide within the 2016 draft, performed in 118 video games with the Broncos (108 begins), was chosen for two Pro Bowls, was a second-team All-Pro 4 occasions and completed sixth in franchise historical past in interceptions, with 30 of his 32 profession interceptions coming in a Broncos uniform.
His 32 interceptions are second solely to the New England Patriots‘ Kevin Byard since 2016.
His tenure, nevertheless, started the season after the team’s final Super Bowl look — Super Bowl 50 to shut out the 2015 season — and ended earlier than the back-to-back playoff appearances of the final two seasons.
Simmons’ time in Denver coincided with the franchise’s longest playoff drought because the Broncos’ time within the AFL and included excessive participant turnover, quick teaching tenures and a string of seasons of battle alongside the best way. He was one of many team’s constants at the moment, nevertheless, an vital voice within the locker room, considered one of its finest gamers on the sphere and a distinguished presence locally.
He stated Wednesday that the response from followers in regards to the information of his retirement would at all times be memorable for him.
“It was a hard eight years,” Simmons stated. “…It hurts not to be able to [make the playoffs]. I was a safety, there’s only so much I can control, but I just felt like there was a lot asked and I feel like I fell short.
“I felt like I let lots of people down… to see that sort of response for me [Wednesday]it is greater than I deserve, it is heartwarming, I’m grateful, I’m blessed, I’m honored. …I would like to have the ability to be remembered for how I helped enhance lives. …I do not take any of it for granted.”
He was a three-time Walter Payton Man of the Year with the Broncos for his off-the-field efforts, including his extensive work at the Denver Boys & Girls Club. He was also a three-time team captain.
Hall of Fame Broncos safety Steve Atwater introduced Simmons at a ceremony Wednesday at the Broncos’ south suburban complex. Simmons said that when he arrived in Denver as a 22-year-old rookie he already knew the franchise’s history of safeties with Hall of Famers like Atwater, John Lynch and Brian Dawkins as well as team ring of fame members Dennis Smith, Steve Foley and Goose Gonsoulin.
“I did my finest with what we have been going by means of, and it was quite a bit,” Simmons said. “…I hope the legacy that was left was a man who really did care, was passionate, I wished to do properly. …I used to be simply making an attempt to be one of the best model of myself. …I used to be making an attempt my finest.”
The Broncos released Simmons in 2024 in a salary cap-related move, and he later signed with the Falcons. He started 16 games for Atlanta that season and finished with two interceptions. Simmons did not play last season and said Wednesday that he had a short list of teams he would have played for in 2025 but that those opportunities didn’t arise.
He finished his career with 666 tackles, 71 passes defended and five forced fumbles in 134 games (124 starts).
Simmons, 32, said Wednesday that he will spend more time with his family, work with his foundation, and begin to meet with people and “decide their brains” to plan a bigger post-football career. In the short term, however, he already said he had a game-day plan for the next Broncos season.
“I can not wait to go to a sport and tailgate,” Simmons said. “I’ve by no means carried out that.”
