The official release of Al Wilson was documented quietly. Not even a press release was issued, since Wilson himself held a press conference on April 13 to share the news that the Broncos had parted ways with him after eight seasons — five of which saw him make the Pro Bowl.
With the NFL and Broncos buzzing with pre-draft preparations, the official release of Wilson was an unusually inaudible coda to a tenure defined by loud, impassioned invective in the huddle and open-field hits that elicited roars that spoke even more forcefully than any of his speeches to teammates.
But what I’ll remember about Wilson as a Bronco has nothing to do with his actions on the field. It’s two sights.
The first one is something visible to anyone scooting south along the long spaghetti strand of asphalt known as Interstate 25 — an often-displayed banner of Wilson, covering nearly the entire height of the INVESCO Field at Mile High facade, promoting prostate-cancer screening and awareness. Wherever he goes, it’s hard to imagine that his fundraising commitment to fighting that disease will continue; it is personal — far more so than any insult an opponent could hurl in his direction on the field.
The second is an SUV slowing down along the side of a suburban Arapahoe County road. My car wouldn’t start, and with the office within (lengthy) walking distance, I needed to make it into work, so I grabbed my three bags — carrying two laptops and a video camera — and started hoofing it to the office, hauling enough gear to where it appeared I was camping in the foothills.
Halfway to the office, a black SUV pulls over and its passenger-side window drops.
“Need a ride, man?” says a smiling, familiar face from behind the wheel.
He didn’t have to do that. I was halfway to work, and, frankly, I could have used the exercise anyhow. But that’s just the kind of person Wilson is — and why his teammates lamented his potential — and now official — departure throughout the month.
I’m sure that Wilson’s locker-room mates saw many more examples of the character that rested beneath the tough, plain-spoken facade — and his credentials as a leader are certainly unquestioned after he spoke at the funerals of Darrent Williams and Damien Nash.
But for me, Wilson will always be the helpful fellow who gave me a ride to work. And if I didn’t thank you properly at the time, Al, I hope this suffices.
Tags: Al Wilson, Linebackers
Your one tough S.O.B. Al, you will truly be missed…
Al, you will be missed. I always looked for you to make a big play in every game. You were a insperation to me, and I thank you for that.
Mase, I never knew about your “ride to work” story. That’s awesome. Great read. I, too, will miss Al. Not only was he a great tie to my home state of Tennessee, but he was an unquestioned leader that even seemed to get the best out of us. I remember a photo shoot my first season here where Al basically took over direction and made sure his fellow linebackers — Ian Gold and D.J. Williams — were showing off their best qualities. Take care, 56.
Being new to the Bronco “family” I have a slightly different impression than most other people. We are fortunate to sometimes use the players parking entry/exit to get into the stadium and every time we have been to a home game there was always a group of 10-20 “fans” with the number 56 jersey laughing, having fun with each other, taking photos of each other next to the player’s Bentleys, Mercedes, Escalades, Lincoln and Hummers everyone always seemed to be smiling and loving life. I assume that these were Al’s family and friends and I’m am absolutely certain that they have been this excited since his days as a rookie. After so many years it’s nice to see that the business of football has kept these wonderful people from becoming jaded and cynical and they seem to have held on to the fact that it is just a game and they are a few of the truly fortunate to have the opportunity to witness one of their own to play this game at the highest level. I believe I will miss their “intensity” to have fun as much as #56’s extraordinary play. I will also try to fill the gap that they are leaving by realizing how fortunate our family is to be able to enjoy this great game from a position that is not available to but a very few. Good luck AL and family
Hearing a story like that makes me more disappointed that the man cannot continue his career. He has held the Orange and Blue together after the last group and one of the last pieces of one of the best teams in history.
I’ll miss you Al. Things won’t be the same without you.
I WISH AL THE BEST OF LUCK WITH WHATEVER HE DOES. PEOPLE WOULD ALWAYS ASK ME IF I WOULD RATHER HAVE CHAMP BAILEY OR RAY LEWIS. AND I WOULD ANSWER CHAMP OF COURSE. JUST FOR THE SIMPLE FACT THAT I ALREADY HAVE A MLB, AL WILSON. WHAT THEY DIDNT UNDERSTAND WAS THAT HE WAS OUR RAY LEWIS. EXCEPT WITHOUT ALL THE YAPPING AND DANCING. YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
I bet AFC West RB’s let a huge sigh of relief when they saw Wilson was released, now they won’t have to get hit by him two games a season. Good Luck AL you will be missed.
Thanks for the memories Al. You’ve earned a place among the greatest to ever wear the orange and blue. You truly belong in the company of players like Gradishar and Jackson. Thank you for the effort and heart that you brought to the field on every down in every game. I know that your carreer wasn’t as long as any of us would’ve liked but you still deserve a spot in Canton. Once again thank you so much and good luck with what ever you choose to do. God bless
I am so sad to see you go Al. You are loved and will be missed. I will miss that smile on the field. God Bless
Al will be miss greatly in denver! i was mad when i found out they released him but if hes cool about it i guess us fans can be to! its sad to see a leader and the soul of our team leave! HOPE ALL WORKS OUT FOR YOU AL YOU WILL BE MISSED IN THE ORANGE AND BLUE
We loved you dearly and you were so kind to us and my boy Ralphie. My mon was thrilled to meet you She was 81 and you helped her to walk a few steps. Thank you
any word on Keyonvis bouie?
we are going to miss u the middle is going to be empty
Online Travel Guide…
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting…
Prostate cancer vaccine allows patients to live longer
Yesterday, the first conclusions of a study on prostate cancer patients were made public. It seems that for the first time in history a cancer vaccine is delaying the progression of the disease and patients can live longer.