ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – While most of the new Broncos NFL Draft picks were being flown in, Dalton Risner only needed to make a short road trip. It's just 66 miles from Wiggins to Broncos headquarters, which he traveled in his dad’s truck that was decorated with window paint.
“So my mom decorated the truck, and it’s my dad’s truck,” Risner said. “I don’t have my truck up here. She put '#71', '#LeagueBound', the whole deal all over it, which was cool."
"It’s a dream come true for my parents. They grew up huge Denver Broncos fans and as you can see we’re pretty excited.”
Risner is happy, but far from satisfied. All of his success has come from hard work and he insists that won’t change.
He knows starting is not a given.
“Wherever coach wants me at, whether that is Munchak, Coach (Vic) Fangio, wherever they want me that is where I am going to play," he said. "Obviously, I’m not going to come in somewhere having the intention of being a backup. I would like to come in and have an immediate impact.”
Risner has spent countless hours helping others and giving back, but the plan right now is to help the Broncos. His focus will be 100% on football.
“My priority right now is to come in and earn the respect of this team and work hard for the guys who are in this football team. Eventually, I will obviously want to have that impact. That is something that means a lot to me. Football is going to end someday, but I feel like the type of person you are off the field is what matters."
There are all kinds of Colorado connections on the Broncos which will certainly help Risner make that transition to the NFL.
“I am just honored to be here and have the opportunity to play next to guys like Phillip (Lindsay) and Sam (Jones). I was talking to Phillip on the phone last night. It was just cool to be welcomed by all these players. It was really, really special. I’m just humbled."
"I am just so excited to work alongside all these guys. Not only them two but all the other football players on this team. I am just ready to become part of the team and start working for all these guys.”
Dalton Risner and the rest of the rookies will be on the field together for the first time in early May when the team holds their rookie minicamp.
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