This is graduation season around the country, with high school and college students proudly getting diplomas and degrees from high schools, colleges and universities.
One of those who might otherwise be overlooked is very accustomed to being the center of attention, that being former Denver Broncos safety and cornerback Tyrone Braxton.
Tyrone was a star player for the Broncos and has two Super Bowl championship rings from his days with the team, but this weekend he fulfills a promise he made to his mother as a freshman at North Dakota State University, that being to eventually get his college degree. Tyrone graduates this weekend.
He is in the process of starting a new job working with Denver area youth so he cannot walk across the stage in person, but that does not diminish the pride that Tyrone should have in his accomplishment — it is a big deal, and a classy thing to do.
But Tyrone always handled himself well here. He was a terrific player in Denver’s defensive backfield from 1987-93, and after a brief hiatus away from the Mile High City again from 1995-99. That’s 12 years with the Broncos and 13 pro seasons overall, a very impressive career for a player who was the 334th overall selection of the 1987 draft, the 12th and final choice by the Broncos.
Tyrone was listed as 5-11, 185 and had average speed. Many would say he was too short, too light and too slow—until the game began.
Tyrone Braxton was all player, all the time.
He had 34 interceptions for the Broncos (fourth best in team history), including nine in 1996 (tied for third best team single season total ever), and his career return yardage of 614 is still fourth best all-time.
But it is all about winning, and here is the biggest stat of all about Tyrone Braxton.
While Braxton was playing at North Dakota State the Bison won three national championships.
During his years with the Broncos Denver won two world championships, two other AFC championships, and the Broncos lost an AFC title game at Buffalo in 1991.
So he played for teams that played for championships eight times, winning seven, in his combined college and pro career.
Maybe Tyrone was not big, but those stats sure sound big to me.
And he was a stand-up guy for my public relations department for every day of his career. He always answered the press questions, in good times and in bad — he praised his teammates and took the blame if it happened to fall on his shoulders.
He was a real example for the younger guys.
Tyrone Braxton stood tall in that locker room, and I offer him deepest congratulations on his latest accomplishment of earning his college degree.
Tags: North Dakota State, Tyrone Braxton
Absolutely loved Atwater and Braxton roaming the secondary in their prime. Alot of respect to Braxton to fulfilling that promise and going back to school. Great story
Great story! another broncos great living up to our mile high expectations! grats mr. braxton!
Congrats Braxton!!! I know the hard work, I have one more year left til I get my degree, so definitely congrats!!!!
A4HOF….Yeah those were the good ole’ days back when the Broncos were championship contenders year in and year out. Wouldn’t it be sweet if our younger secondary guys (McBath, Bruton, Smith) turned out to be as great as Atwater, Bailey, Braxton, and even Dawkins. That would be great!!!!!
tyrone braxton embodies what the Denver Broncos are all about. class and diginity.
I kinda work with Tyrone Braxton….its weird.
he’s a great guy. came to my football camp, got a picture and atougraph with him. But may I ask. why’s he just now getting his degree?
I love Tyrone. One of the greatest Broncos ever! Congrats Mr. Braxton and thank you for all you have done for myself and the community. Big ups!
Congrats, great that he did that for his mother. Class all the way.
florio’s_mom, how do you work with Tyrone? If you don’t mind, just like to know. I live in the town next to Miamisburg Ohio, where Bruton is from. My claim to fame in Bronco Country. LOL I hope he does well for the Broncos for a long time.
Well first I met him at a flag football event where I was playing QB. He told me I had a great arm.
Then I ended up getting a job which he has ties to. Kinda hard to explain.
He wrote an 11 man play book for a website.
http://www.flagfootballstrategies.com/ffs_default.taf?ID=8025
The same website I work for…so technically I sorta work with him.
Just cool to tell ppl you work with chicken..lol
Here is a better look….
http://www.tyronebraxton.com/
I’m the guy that actually draws those plays.
Congratulations to you, Tyrone Braxton!!!!
I’ve watched you live (Super Bowl being the greatest EVER) and on TV for a lot of years, and I had no idea, really, how accomplished you were.
Thanks for the years and the memories. And thanks for the article, Mr. Saccomano!
Go Broncos!
Way to go Tyrone! A postitive direction for one of our beloved Broncos! Never will forget him picking off Farve in the Super Bowl helping the team to win that first Lombardi trophy.
Cheers to oNe of the 1st Broncos to get us going,HIP,HIP,HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!
Tyrone was fun to watch.
CHICKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Duo FOREX…
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