Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons will return to Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday and he doesn’t necessarily expect Denver Broncos fans to give him a warm welcome.
“I think running out in the stadium, obviously all those [elements] will be different,” Simmons said Wednesday, via WSB-TV’s Zach Klein. “I’ll be on the other side, in the away locker room changing and I’ll be on the opposite side of the sideline. You know, I won’t hear as many cheers — probably a little bit more boos — but, again, I think that’s part of it.”
It’s hard to imagine Broncos fans actually booing Simmons. He was a fan favorite in Denver as a team captain and leader in the community. The Broncos made the decision to release Simmons this spring to save salary cap space — and the safety was professional after being cut by the team. Fans in Denver have no reason to have any beef with Simmons.
Simmons also said he’s still in a group chat with defensive backs including Pat Surtain, Ja’Quan McMillian and P.J. Locke. Simmons said he might need to mute the chat this week to avoid the smack-talking and then talk to them in person after the game.
The always-professional Simmons made it clear that he still has love for the Broncos and their fans, but he’s focused on helping the Falcons get a win in Week 11.
“I know all this is, the highlight of most of it is going to be the return back to Denver and what that looks like,” Simmons said. “You know, honestly, it’s going to be a great game — I’m really looking forward to being there — but my focus … I wanted to make sure I gave love to the organization and to the fanbase there as they treated my family and I so well.
“And I do have nothing but love for the team and for the fanbase and for the community — that’s still home for us. But at the same time, too, I’m a Falcon and I’m really looking forward, just to keep reiterating it, going up there and finding a way to get our seventh win.”
A reasonable stance for the veteran safety to take. Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on Fox. Denver is considered a home favorite in Week 11.
