Denver safety Justin Simmons does not really know what it feels like to move around the NFL — his only professional team has been the Broncos. But Simmons is from a military family, so he knows what it was like to move around before he reached the NFL.
Now, Simmons has several new teammates who have signed with the Broncos during the 2022 offseason. Last week, Simmons and free agent signee DJ Jones partnered with USAA to show off some of the best sites Denver has to offer.
“We went and saw a lot of the top sites around Denver; sites like Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the stadium (Empower Field at Mile High), went to Larimer Square, Union Station, so we saw a bunch of different places,” Simmons said in an interview with Broncos Wire. “[T]he idea is, that DJ is moving to a new city, he’s in a new home with a new team, a new environment in general. Moving can be hard; I know that personally. I’ve moved a lot in my life and moving can be difficult. USAA had a bunch of great moving tips … I found them super helpful.”
(@djjones93)Since Denver is a huge military hub (home to several Air Force bases and one Army base), partnering with USAA was significant for Simmons personally.
“USAA being the official NFL Salute to Service partner is a big thing for me. My dad served in the Air Force and my uncle served in the Army and got a Purple Heart,” Simmons said. “So, for me, it was a no-brainer when [USAA] asked me to partner and do a tour with DJ Jones.”
Surprisingly, Simmons’ favorite Denver locale was not one of the places they went. “My favorite place honestly is the Denver Aquarium,” Simmons said. “I’ve been a few times with my daughter, she’s four now, and it’s like we’re at Disney every time we go.”
Simmons has taken on a leadership role in the Broncos’ locker room, and he’s helping make it easier for players like Jones to adjust to life in a new NFL city. Last week’s tour with Jones was a sponsored event, but it’s clear that Simmons has emerged as a key leader and face of the franchise in Denver.
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