Justin Simmons Drops Heartfelt Take on Broncos Career After Calling It Quits
After nine NFL seasons, safety Justin Simmons has decided to step into retirement after a one-day contract with the Denver Broncos.
Simmons spent his first eight seasons with the Broncos before playing his final season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024.
In an Instagram post from the Broncos, the 32-year-old expressed his gratitude toward playing for the franchise.
“Being a Denver Bronco was more than just a team,” Simmons said. “It was my heart, my home, and my story.”
Denver selected Simmons with the 98th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and he played in 118 games, earning a pair of Pro Bowl selections, four Second-Team All-Pro nods, and finishing sixth in team history with 30 interceptions.
In his lone season with the Falcons, he recorded 62 total tackles with two interceptions and seven pass deflections.
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The fan’s reaction on social media to his retirement was something Simmons said would be a memorable moment for him.
“It was a hard eight years,” Simmons said via ESPN. “… It hurt 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 a lot of people down … to see that type of reaction for me [Wednesday], it’s more than I deserve, it’s heartwarming, I’m thankful, I’m blessed, I’m honored. … I want to be able to be remembered for how I helped improve lives. … I don’t take any of it for granted.”
