John Elway brings holiday cheer to Broncos fan recovering after random shooting
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — David Daugherty’s life went into slow-motion as his windshield exploded and bullets pelted the frame of his truck as he traveled along eastbound 1-70 near Limon.
It was just after midnight Aug. 5 and Daugherty, a former Army paratrooper and longtime Denver Broncos fan from Kansas, just wanted to get home after a week’s vacation in the mountains. Instead, his trip to Colorado was extended by two months as he was left clinging for life in, what is so far believed to be, a random act of violence from a car that pulled up alongside him and opened fire.
One bullet hit Daugherty’s spinal cord, immediately paralyzing him from the waist down. Other bullets did more damage.
On Sunday night, Broncos vice president and general manager John Elway made Daugherty a special guest of the team.
David Daugherty watches pre-game activities from the sideline before the Denver Broncos game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 25, 2016 at Arrowhead Stadium. (John Leyba/The Denver Post)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) is tackled by Denver Broncos defensive end Jared Crick (93), and linebacker Todd Davis (51) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs for a 70-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs for a 70-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Denver Broncos running back Justin Forsett (20) scores a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Jordan Devey, top, behind offensive tackle Michael Schofield (79), during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Denver Broncos running back Justin Forsett (20) is surrounded by teammates as he gets up after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Denver Broncos running back Justin Forsett (20) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West, right, is tackled by Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58), during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker (23) carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
