Former Broncos safety David Bruton is retiring from the NFL
PARKER — One of the final and most lasting images from David Bruton’s seven years as a Bronco was taken the evening of Dec. 20, 2015, in the bowels of Heinz Field. His arms draped around linebacker Danny Trevathan and the team’s head physician, Bruton hobbled back to the visiting locker room wincing in pain after playing nearly an entire game on a broken leg.
That image was as much a badge of honor and summation of Bruton’s NFL career as it was a reminder of the game’s physicality. In his eight years in the league, Bruton was the subject of so many of those photos; his big plays were met with bigger hits. One from 2014, when he lay on the ground and held his head in agony after getting popped by Oakland’s Denico Autry, still circulates in reports of concussions.
Bruton is done being the star of those moments. The former safety and special-teams ace is retiring from the NFL because of his health and others’. Since January he has been taking prerequisite courses at the University of Colorado-Denver to be able to apply to physical therapy school.
Bruton appeared in four games for the Washington Redskins in 2016, released following his sixth concussion, after spending his entire career with the Broncos. Bruton was on the Super Bowl 50 championship team.
Broncos safety David Bruton dances to a song as the Denver Broncos prepare to take on the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, November 17, 2013 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
Broncos David Bruton blocks a punt by Ravens punter Sam Koch Thursday, Sept. 4, 2013, during the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Kansas City running back Thomas Jones runs over Broncos savety David Bruton for 8 yards in the fourth quarter of Denver’s 7-3 loss Sunday, January 1, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mark Reis, The Gazette
Broncos safety David Bruton dances to a song as the Denver Broncos prepare to take on the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, November 17, 2013 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
Broncos David Bruton blocks a punt by Ravens punter Sam Koch Thursday, Sept. 4, 2013, during the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Kansas City running back Thomas Jones runs over Broncos savety David Bruton for 8 yards in the fourth quarter of Denver’s 7-3 loss Sunday, January 1, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mark Reis, The Gazette
