ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — About 10 months ago, after Justin Simmons earned his first Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nomination, he joined the other nominees in Miami for an event at a Boys & Girls Club during the week before the Super Bowl LIV.
It wasn't just an event with some of the NFL's best players; it was a gathering of some of the league's most philanthropic people, huddled together to play games with kids and to give them a memorable day. It was just as memorable for Simmons, too.
"It was inspiring," Simmons said Thursday. "That's what I left there with. Obviously there's a lot of big-name or bigger-name guys there, and it was just inspiring having these conversations and getting to talk them. I still talk to a good amount of them to this day. And when I say inspiring, it was just really cool to see the same type of passion across the league. You get so caught [up] in your own little bubble here, what you do with the guys and what you do, and it's great, but it was cool to see the same passions and desires and future plans that they have in communities, different foundations that those guys are supporting."
In the months that followed, Simmons would take that inspiration and, combined with his own goals and dedication to purpose, make an indelible impact in the communities he calls home.
In late May, after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Simmons spoke out about the need for justice during a protest in Florida. A week later, he spoke at the protest most of the team attended in downtown Denver. Less than two weeks after that, he announced the establishment of his own charitable foundation.
And since then, he's continued to be involved in community outreach through his foundation and through the team. He was a speaker in a Youth for Change Town Hall with the NFL Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, took part in virtual visits with kids at Children's Hospital Colorado and he did weekly sessions with members of the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club for RISE, the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality.
Even with the pandemic preventing in-person visits, Simmons saw he could still make an impact, and in turn, they made quite the impact on him.
"It was tough trying to navigate through that, but I had an opportunity for, I think it was a month and a couple weeks, to do kind of like a virtual Zoom series with … a select group of individuals from the Boys & Girls Club," Simmons said. "That was a life-changing experience. We had an opportunity to work with a program called RISE and we were doing different activities and different tasks that kind of talked about what's going in our world today and all the things that come with it. We had really good conversations. And that was life-changing for me, just to be a part of those calls and hear those kids and to hear their voices."
So when he got the news that he had been nominated as the Broncos' Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year for a second straight year, Simmons felt honored not because what he had done, but for what the work represents.
"It means everything," Simmons said. "I know I've talked in depth about it last year but this award is the most prestigious award, in my opinion, in the NFL. … All-Pro, Pro Bowls, all the things that come with what you're chasing after as an NFL player, this award means the most to me, personally. … You don't do it for the accolades or anything like that, but to be recognized as a nomination of someone at the stature of Walter Payton, it just goes above and beyond. I'm just truly humbled, once again, by the nomination."
What would be even better is if Simmons won the honor at the league level. A Bronco has only won the award once — John Elway in 1992 — since the award was started in 1970. Elway told DenverBroncos.com’s Phil Milani on Thursday that he'd love to see Simmons become the second.
"It is time," Elway said. "And I think Justin's a great guy to do that one, a great person to be in that situation because of what he does in our community. So hopefully this year he gets all the way to the top and can be that guy."
Take a look back at some of the highlights of the community work of Justin Simmons, the Broncos' 2019 and 2020 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee.
Broncos safety Justin Simmons at the first annual Broncos rookie day, which included several stops to serve the Denver-area community. June 6, 2016 (Photo by Aric DiLalla)
A patient and his family with defensive tackle Kyle Peko (90), defensive end Adam Gotsis (99), safety Justin Simmons (31) and DBC Romi at a November 29, 2016 visit to University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. (Photo by Aric DiLalla)
Safety Justin Simmons (31) at the Bonfils Drive for Life event at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 1, 2016. (Photo by Caroline Deisley)
Safety Justin Simmons (31) and inside linebacker Zaire Anderson (50) at a Play 60 event at Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse on October 4, 2016. (Photo by Aric DiLalla)
Safety Justin Simmons (31) at a November 29, 2016 visit to University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. (Photo by Aric DiLalla)
Safety Justin Simmons speaks about the importance of making an impact at the team's rookie community orientation on June 12, 2017. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Safety Justin Simmons and kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs Holiday Party in the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse at UCHealth Training Center on December 18, 2017. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Safety Justin Simmons (31), defensive end Adam Gotsis (99), safety Will Parks (34) at a "Fight Like a Bronco" event with Broncos visiting patients battling leukemia and other oncology patients at UC Hospital on October 24, 2017. (Photo by Aric DiLalla)
Safety Justin Simmons (31) and teammates Shelby Harris, Adam Gotsis and Will Parks at a "Fight Like a Bronco" event with Broncos visiting patients battling leukemia and other oncology patients at UC Hospital on October 24, 2017. (Photo by Aric DiLalla)
Safety Justin Simmons at a "Fight Like a Bronco" event with Broncos visiting patients battling leukemia and other oncology patients at UC Hospital on October 24, 2017. (Photo by Aric DiLalla)
Wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (84) and safety Justin Simmons (31) at a Playworks and CarMax event at Greenwood Elementary School on September 26, 2017. (Photo by Broncos Community Development department)
Safety Justin Simmons at Fuel Up to Play 60's 2017 Fuel Greatness Touchdown Recognition event on October 24, 2017. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
safety Justin Simmons (31) and Ring of Fame former wide receiver/returner Rick Upchurch during the Salute to Service Caravan presented by USAA on a trip to Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station and Peterson Air Force Base on November 7, 2017. (Photo by Aric DiLalla)
safety Justin Simmons (31) at the 2017 Hometown Huddle, hosted by Playworks Colorado and Mile High United Way, at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse on October 9, 2017. (Photo by Aric DiLalla)
Safety Justin Simmons at Fuel Up to Play 60's 2017 Fuel Greatness Touchdown Recognition event on October 24, 2017. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Safety Justin Simmons at a PLAY 60 Kickoff event with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver on September 12, 2017. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Safety Justin Simmons speaks to high school graduates from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver on April 14, 2017 at a Dave & Busters location. (Photo by Aric DiLalla)
Safety Justin Simmons (31) at a Play 60 event in the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse on May 9, 2017. (Photo by Aric DiLalla)
Justin Simmons at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation's Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show at the Sheraton Denver Downtown on October 20, 2018.
Justin Simmons talks with a patient during a visit to Children's Hospital Colorado to distribute Build-A-Bear bears on December 10, 2018. (Photo by Zach Pereles)
Justin Simmons at a holiday shopping spree hosted by Will Parks for children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver on December 3, 2018. (Photo by Zach Pereles)
Justin Simmons helps a girl at a holiday shopping spree hosted by Will Parks for children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver on December 3, 2018. (Photo by Zach Pereles)
Justin Simmons gives a high-five during a visit Character Playbook visit to Kepner Legacy Middle School on May 4, 2018. (Photo by Ryan Young)
Justin Simmons celebrates a student's catch during a visit Character Playbook visit to Kepner Legacy Middle School on May 4, 2018. (Photo by Ryan Young)
Justin Simmons during a visit to Buckley Air Force Base on May 8, 2018. (Photo by Ryan Young)
Justin Simmons celebrates a boy's successful throw in a game during a Salute to Service-themed PLAY 60 clinic for children from military families in the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse at UCHealth Training Center on November 13, 2018. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons visits the Children's Hospital of Colorado in Aurora, Colorado, October 09, 2018. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Justin Simmons at Drive for Life 21, the Broncos' annual blood drive with Vitalant, at Vitalant's headquarters on October 30, 2018.
Justin Simmons visits the Children's Hospital Colorado pediatric oncology floor in Aurora, Colorado, October 09, 2018. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Justin Simmons takes a group photo at Fuel Up to PLAY 60's 2018 Fuel Greatness Touchdown Recognition event.
Justin Simmons at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation's Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show at the Sheraton Denver Downtown on October 20, 2018.
Justin Simmons talks with a young boy during a game at the 2018 Hometown Huddle PLAY 60 event at Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse on October 8, 2018. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation's Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show at the Sheraton Denver Downtown on October 20, 2018.
Safety Justin Simmons at the 2018 Back to School with the Broncos shopping spree on July 23, 2018. Each student received $100 for school supplies. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons runs during a game at the 2018 Hometown Huddle PLAY 60 event at Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse on October 8, 2018. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Courtland Sutton greets Justin Simmons' daughter Laney, who is being held by Simmons' wife, Taryn, at the Broncos' Boys & Girls Club holiday party for about 200 children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver at UCHealth Training Center on December 17, 2018. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons talks with Von Miller, dressed as Santa Claus, at the Broncos' Boys & Girls Club holiday party for about 200 children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver at UCHealth Training Center on December 17, 2018. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons celebrates a young athlete's touchdown during a PLAY 60 All-Ability Clinic with Special Olympics Colorado for 125 athletes at UCHealth Training Center at May 7, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Volunteers at the Make-A-Wish Colorado location help create posters and inventory gifts during the inaugural Denver Day of Service on June 7, 2019.
Kareem Jackson and teammates including Justin Simmons and Bradley Chubb host 30 children from Children's Hospital Colorado for a dinner and shopping spree as part of the Kareem Jackson Foundation's Shop with a Jock event on December 2, 2019. (Photo by Emily Simanskis)
Troy Fumagalli, Isaac Yiadom, Jamal Carter, Dymonte Thomas, Billy Winn, Adam Gotsis, Taylor Bertolet, Justin Simmons and Brendan Langley during a visit to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office on May 28, 2019.
Justin Simmons helps out as Chris Harris Jr. hosts children from the Denver Children's Home and the Salvation Army for shopping spree as part of the Chris Harris Jr. Foundation's annual Shop with a Jock event on December 10, 2019. (Photo by Jeremy Rincon)
Justin Simmons helps out as Chris Harris Jr. hosts children from the Denver Children's Home and the Salvation Army for shopping spree as part of the Chris Harris Jr. Foundation's annual Shop with a Jock event on December 10, 2019. (Photo by Jeremy Rincon)
Justin Simmons and teammates decorate gingerbread cookies with children at the Denver Rescue Mission's 20th annual holiday party at the Mission's The Crossing location on December 9, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Josh Watson, Justin Simmons, De'Vante Bausby and teammates serve dinner at the Denver Rescue Mission's 20th annual holiday party at the Mission's The Crossing location on December 9, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons during a meal-packaging event with Feeding Children Everywhere at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club on May 14, 2019, with volunteers from the Broncos, the Denver Police Department and the club.
Justin Simmons at the third annual Dinner for a Difference to raise funds for the charitable efforts of the Kareem Jackson Foundation on November 25, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
DaeSean Hamilton, Head Coach Vic Fangio, Justin Simmons and Bradley Chubb show athletes how to perform a drill during a PLAY 60 All-Ability Clinic with Special Olympics Colorado for 125 athletes at UCHealth Training Center at May 7, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons at the Chubb Foundation's Holiday Launch event at Topgolf on November 4, 2019. Children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver and Mile High United Way spent the afternoon golfing with Bradley Chubb, his brother Brandon and many of Bradley's teammates and then received gift cards for the holidays. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons reads a letter that was left for him and other Broncos players during a visit to UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital on September 30, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons with children from Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver during a PLAY 60 challenge at the Broncos' annual Hometown Huddle, held in collaboration with Playworks Colorado and Mile High United Way, on October 22, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons and students play a game of touch football at Rangeview High School in Aurora, Colorado, after the school received the 2019 Doug Fulton Unified Champion School Kindness Award fromSpecial Olympics Colorado, in partnership with the Broncos and United Airlines. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons and Rangeview students play a game of touch football at Rangeview High School in Aurora, Colorado, after the school received the 2019 Doug Fulton Unified Champion School Kindness Award fromSpecial Olympics Colorado, in partnership with the Broncos and United Airlines. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Bradley Chubb, Head Coach Vic Fangio and Justin Simmons encourage a young athlete's run to a touchdown during a PLAY 60 All-Ability Clinic with Special Olympics Colorado for 125 athletes at UCHealth Training Center at May 7, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Corey Nelson, Justin Simmons and Noah Fant pose for a photo with a patient during a visit to UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital on September 30, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons celebrates an athlete's touchdown during a PLAY 60 All-Ability Clinic with the National Sports Center for the Disabled for 200 athletes at UCHealth Training Center at April 30, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons connects for a hit during UCHealth's Healthy Swings Charity Home Run Derby to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society- Rocky Mountain Chapter at Coors Field on June 11, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Noah Fant, Corey Nelson and Justin Simmons during a visit to UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital on September 30, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons and other Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees from around the league participate in a Huddle For Your Community event with children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade's Hank Kline Club at the club as part of Super Bowl LIV festivities in Miami, Florida, on January 31, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons and other Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees from around the league participate in a Huddle For Your Community event with children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade's Hank Kline Club at the club as part of Super Bowl LIV festivities in Miami, Florida, on January 31, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons and other Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees from around the league participate in a Huddle For Your Community event with children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade's Hank Kline Club at the club as part of Super Bowl LIV festivities in Miami, Florida, on January 31, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons and other Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees from around the league participate in a Huddle For Your Community event with children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade's Hank Kline Club at the club as part of Super Bowl LIV festivities in Miami, Florida, on January 31, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons and other Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees from around the league autograph a mural at a Huddle For Your Community event with children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade's Hank Kline Club at the club as part of Super Bowl LIV festivities in Miami, Florida, on January 31, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Jeremiah Attaochu, Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons during a protest for racial justice on June 6, 2020 at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado. Denver Broncos coaches and players came out to give their support. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Justin Simmons takes part in a Children's Hospital Colorado virtual visit.
Justin Simmons takes part in a Children's Hospital Colorado virtual visit.
Justin Simmons takes part in a RISE (Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality) session.
Justin Simmons takes part in a RISE (Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality) session.
Justin Simmons takes part in a RISE (Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality) session.
Justin Simmons takes part in a RISE (Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality) session.
Courtland Sutton and Justin Simmons during a protest for racial justice on June 6, 2020 on the streets of downtown Denver, Colorado. Denver Broncos coaches and players came out to give their support. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Justin Simmons takes part in a Youth for Change Town Hall.
Justin Simmons and other Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees from around the league participate in a Huddle For Your Community event with children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade's Hank Kline Club at the club as part of Super Bowl LIV festivities in Miami, Florida, on January 31, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons takes part in a Youth for Change Town Hall.
Justin Simmons speaks to the crowd at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons speaks to the crowd during a protest for racial justice on June 6, 2020 at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado. Denver Broncos coaches and players came out to give their support. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Justin Simmons speaks to the crowd during a protest for racial justice on June 6, 2020 at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado. Denver Broncos coaches and players came out to give their support. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Justin Simmons and other Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees from around the league participate in a Huddle For Your Community event with children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade's Hank Kline Club at the club as part of Super Bowl LIV festivities in Miami, Florida, on January 31, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons talks with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Justin Simmons and other Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees from around the league participate in a Huddle For Your Community event with children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade's Hank Kline Club at the club as part of Super Bowl LIV festivities in Miami, Florida, on January 31, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons and other Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees from around the league take a group photo at a Huddle For Your Community event with children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade's Hank Kline Club at the club as part of Super Bowl LIV festivities in Miami, Florida, on January 31, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons and other Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees from around the league participate in a Huddle For Your Community event with children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade's Hank Kline Club at the club as part of Super Bowl LIV festivities in Miami, Florida, on January 31, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons at the March for Peace 5K run/walk organized by members of the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club in Montbello on June 12, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons greets a club member at the March for Peace 5K run/walk organized by members of the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club in Montbello on June 12, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons poses for a photo with event organizers Najaray West and Nashara Ellerbee at the March for Peace 5K run/walk organized by members of the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club in Montbello on June 12, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons talks with event co-organizer and club member Najaray West at the March for Peace 5K run/walk organized by members of the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club in Montbello on June 12, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons takes a photo with a top finisher and his plaque at the March for Peace 5K run/walk organized by members of the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club in Montbello on June 12, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons during a community event packaging school supplies provided by King Soopers in 300 backpacks for students on August 31, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons, Essang Bassey and Baron Browning during a community event packaging school supplies provided by King Soopers in 300 backpacks for students on August 31, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Baron Browning, Justin Simmons, Dalton Risner, Pat Surtain II and McTelvin Agim participate in a PLAY 60 Express event hosted by the Broncos and Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 7, 2021.
Justin Simmons participates in a PLAY 60 Express event hosted by the Broncos and Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 7, 2021.
Justin Simmons participates in a PLAY 60 Express event hosted by the Broncos and Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 7, 2021.
Dalton Risner, Justin Simmons and Essang Bassey participate in a healthcare worker appreciation event at Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora, CO on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.
Justin Simmons participates in a healthcare worker appreciation event at Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora, CO on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.
Justin Simmons participates in a healthcare worker appreciation event at Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora, CO on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.
Justin Simmons at an event distributing bicycles from Wishes for Wheels to students at John Amesse Elementary School in Denver, Colorado on September 21, 2021. Broncos coaches and front-office staff built the bikes earlier in the month and players distributed them in honor of late former Broncos coach Greg Knapp. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Children high-five Justin Simmons at an event distributing bicycles from Wishes for Wheels to students at John Amesse Elementary School in Denver, Colorado on September 21, 2021. Broncos coaches and front-office staff built the bikes earlier in the month and players distributed them in honor of late former Broncos coach Greg Knapp. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons at an event distributing bicycles from Wishes for Wheels to students at John Amesse Elementary School in Denver, Colorado on September 21, 2021. Broncos coaches and front-office staff built the bikes earlier in the month and players distributed them in honor of late former Broncos coach Greg Knapp. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Netane Muti, Justin Simmons, Lloyd Cushenberry III and Dalton Risner help prepare and serve meals at Denver Rescue Mission in Denver, Colorado on October 5, 2021. (Photo by Sam Weaver)
McTelvin Agim, Dalton Risner, Lloyd Cushenberry III, Netane Muti, Justin Simmons, Quinn Meinerz and Jonas Griffith help prepare and serve meals at Denver Rescue Mission in Denver, Colorado on October 5, 2021. (Photo by Sam Weaver)
