ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Whenever there is a fallout between good friends, the time comes when bitterness dissolves into good times remembered.
After 12 years, the Broncos extended an olive branch to former middle linebacker great Al Wilson by inviting him out to practice Thursday and giving him a tour of their new facilities.
Wilson will also serve as an honorary captain for the Broncos during the coin toss prior to their game Saturday night against the Cleveland Browns. During the game, Wilson will be recognized on the stadium’s Jumbo screen as their “Broncos Legend.”
Wilson was the Broncos’ first-round pick out of Tennessee in the 1999 draft. He was a five-time, Pro Bowl selection and team captain until a neck injury suffered late in the 2006 season brought a premature end to his career.
The neck injury became a point of contention as Wilson filed a $7.5 million medical grievance against a neurosurgeon affiliated with the Broncos, only to have an independent arbitrator rule in the doctor’s favor.
Among players eligible, but not in the team’s Ring of Fame, none have more Pro Bowl nods than Wilson’s five. His name has come up in recent Ring of Fame committee meetings and it appears it’s a matter of when – not if – he is elected.
The mending of the relationship between the Broncos and one of its most popular players began when public relations boss Patrick Smyth let Wilson know he would always be welcome at the team’s facility. Earlier this week, Wilson let the Broncos know he would take them up on their offer.
Wilson, 41, saw Thursday that much has changed since he was a Bronco, most notably with facility upgrades to the trainer’s room, locker room, weight room, cafeteria and most notably a 115,000 square foot fieldhouse named after owner Pat Bowlen.
During Wilson’s playing days, the Broncos tried to use an indoor bubble until a strong windstorm blew it away. He also noticed that pizza and fried chicken Fridays have been replaced by fresh seafood, mixed greens, fresh fruit and custom protein shakes.
After practice, Broncos head coach Vance Joseph called Wilson up in front of the team, recited many of the former linebacker’s accolades and asked him to break the huddle.
Broncos on three. Here’s to Al Wilson.