ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — As the focus inside UCHealth Training Center turns toward the upcoming football season and how it will proceed amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, the push for greater social and racial justice in America will not be left behind.
When the first game of the 2020 arrives — on Sept. 14 for the Broncos — the NFL will likely see a wave of players exercising their free speech and right to protest on the fields where they go to work every week during the fall. This will probably take the form of kneeling during the national anthem, keeping in line with previous protests in previous years, including the one made famous by Colin Kaepernick in 2016 at the encouragement of former Green Beret Nate Boyer.
With the possibility that the Broncos and teams across the league will kneel during the upcoming season, Broncos President and CEO Joe Ellis said that he and the organization would support Broncos players regardless of their choice, which could be made as a group decision among the players.
"Everyone's got a right to do as they please, express themselves how they feel, and I'm going to respect that and we're going to respect that as an organization," President and CEO Joe Ellis said Tuesday. "I think once we get down to 53, my guess is that the players will meet and convene and they'll want to do something as a team. I will be there to listen and learn, and it's been an eye-opening period of, what, about three months now. And as I've said, I'm going to respect whatever it is they decide to do. We're going to stand by that as an organization."
This year, the image of kneeling protesters across the country has gained added meaning after Minneapolis resident George Floyd was killed by a police officer when he kneeled on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes as he asphyxiated on the pavement with his hands handcuffed behind his back.
In the weeks after Floyd's death, protests spread across the country in an unprecedented fashion.
As emotions burned and players searched for the right avenue to make their voices heard, Ellis first joined the conversation in video conference calls with the team to hear players' thoughts on the matter, in addition to other recent killings, including that of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky.
The stories he heard would make quite the impact; days later he would be marching alongside them through downtown Denver.
"I wanted to hear from them; we all kind of wanted to hear from them and their feelings on the matters," Ellis said. "… The meetings lasted over an hour. Multiple players spoke up — eloquently, passionately, emotionally, shared personal experiences that they each had. And for someone like myself, it was a significant eye-opener. So I've spent a lot of time reflecting on that.
"The march, I got to talk to several of the new players, and it was enlightening. It was cordial. Some of the older guys brought their kids, and I think that was the thing … that I'll carry with me the most, was people like Kareem Jackson and Jurrell Casey and Todd Davis and others saying, 'I just don't want it to be this way for my kids.'
To add more action to that initial decision, Ellis discussed the team's support for players and the causes they want to support.
"What I've told them is we're committed to addressing these issues with you," Ellis said. "We are going to keep listening to you. But the one thing we can't do is we can't drop it. We have to stick with it."
At the moment, progress is still being made in the organization as staff members formulate plans alongside players.
But even as things become more concrete, one thing that will continue to be vital in the conversation is simply being willing and open to listen.
"We're committed to following through for them and keeping to going as we move forward," Ellis said. "And that was the thing, just to listen to those players … and hear their stories and hear their anger and their passion toward this, it caught my attention to say the least."
On Saturday, June 6, 2020, many Broncos players, coaches and other members of the organization took part in a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver.
Kareem Jackson, Todd Davis, Alexander Johnson and Malik Reed during a protest for racial justice on June 6, 2020 at State Capitol in Denver, Colorado. Denver Broncos coaches and players came out to give their support. Photo by Gabriel Christus
DeMarcus Walker, Bradley Chubb and Courtland Sutton during a protest for racial justice on June 6, 2020 at State Capitol in Denver, Colorado. Denver Broncos coaches and players came out to give their support. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Bradley Chubb during a protest for racial justice on June 6, 2020 at State Capitol in Denver, Colorado. Denver Broncos coaches and players came out to give their support. Photo by Gabriel Christus
DeMarcus Walker at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Noah Fant during a protest for racial justice on June 6, 2020 at State Capitol in Denver, Colorado. Denver Broncos coaches and players came out to give their support. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Courtland Sutton during a protest for racial justice on June 6, 2020 at State Capitol in Denver, Colorado. Denver Broncos coaches and players came out to give their support. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Justin Simmons at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Von Miller at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Jurrell Casey and his family — including Ryann, his wife, and their two children — at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Yarbrough speaks to the Denver Broncos 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
Drew Lock and Von Miller 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 Von Miller 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
Broncos players 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
Drew Lock and Courtland Sutton during a protest for racial justice on June 6, 2020 at State Capitol in Denver, Colorado. Denver Broncos coaches and players came out to give their support. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Von Miller at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
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
Vic Fangio and Jeremiah Attaochu 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
PJ Lock and Douglas Coleman III 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
Ray jackson and Dalton Risner 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
Vic Fangio and Kareem Jackson 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
Denver Broncos president and chief executive officer Joe Ellis, right, joins Patrick Smyth, the team's chief communications officer, in taking part in a rally in the Greek Amphitheatre in Civic Center Park over the death of George Floyd Saturday, June 6, 2020, in downtown Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Denver Broncos on the stage 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
Todd Davis during a protest for racial justice on June 6, 2020 at State Capitol in Denver, Colorado. Denver Broncos coaches and players came out to give their support. Photo by Gabriel Christus
The Denver Broncos on the stage 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
Davontae Harris, an activist and Jeremiah Attaochu and others raise their fists at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
The Denver Broncos on the stage 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
Jeremiah Attaochu 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
Jeremiah Attaochu 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
Jeremiah Attaochu says a prayer and 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 at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
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
Davontae Harris 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
Kareem Jackson 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
Davontae Harris 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
Alexander Johnson 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
Alexander Johnson speaks to the crowd at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Alexander Johnson 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
Von Miller 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
De'Vante Bausby speaks to the crowd at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
De'Vante Bausby 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
Von Miller 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
Von Miller 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
Von Miller speaks to the crowd at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Jeremiah Attaochu, DeMarcus Walker, 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
Head Coach Vic Fangio at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Neil Yarbrough leads the protest with Denver Broncos on the stage 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
The Denver Broncos on the stage with protesters 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
Von Miller leads the start of the march 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
Von Miller leads the start of the march 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
The Denver Broncos 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
Denver Broncos march with protesters 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
Royce Freeman at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Davontae Harris at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Bryce Callahan, Kareem Jackson and P.J. Locke at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Jerry Jeudy at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Courtland Sutton, Alexander Johnson. De'Vante Bausby, Justin Simmons, DeMarcus Walker and others link arms at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Courtland Sutton, Alexander Johnson, De'Vante Bausby, Justin Simmons lock arms with protesters 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
Courtland Sutton, Alexander Johnson lock arms with protesters 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
A protester raises a fist as he walks past a judicial building that proclaims "Liberty and justice for all" at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Dalton Risner marches with a protester 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
Alexander Johnson 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
Davontae Harris and others at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Malik Reed 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
DeMarcus Walker 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
Alexander Johnson at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock and Bradley Chubb 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 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
Drew Lock 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
Jeremiah Attaochu raises his hands at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos lead the march 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
Denver Broncos lead the march 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
Jeremiah Attaochu at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Davontae Harris 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
Jeremiah Attaochu at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Courtland Sutton raises his fist at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Malik Reed raises his fist at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Courtland Sutton and Malik Reed raises his fist at a protest for racial justice in downtown Denver on June 6, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
