NFL Man of the Year Nominees 2021 | Broncos

Since receiving his second consecutive WPMOY nomination in 2020, Justin has continued to elevate his community work and deepen his impact. He expanded his work with RISE by speaking on its SBLV Leadership Panel and meeting monthly with Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club teens he mentored during the team’s RISE 9-week leadership program. Stemming from that in-season program, Justin teamed up with teenagers Nashara and Naja’Ray (pictured above) to support their efforts to plan a March for Peace, a community event focused on effecting change in their neighborhood and country, as well as providing an opportunity to remember and mourn loved ones lost to violence. Justin and his foundation donated t-shirts for the walk, and he brought his teammates to walk alongside club and community members.

Throughout the past 12 months, Justin and his teammates have met with local activists to push for the de-incarceration of non-violent offenders and clemency reform. Justin was featured in ACLU Colorado’s Redemption Campaign, a statewide initiative to safely release thousands of people from prison who pose no public safety risk by challenging Colorado Governor Jared Polis to use his existing clemency powers in new and transformational ways. On multiple occasions, Justin has met directly with Governor Polis’ office to request they consistently meet with impacted families and exercise his clemency power regularly throughout the year, rather than solely during the holidays. After launching the Justin Simmons Foundation in 2020, he expanded its impact with the inaugural “31 for the Holidays” program, announcing grants to Denver Rescue Mission and Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and Martin County — three key places Justin has called home. The grants provided holiday gifts for more than 130 children and supported 25 families.

In addition to impacting large groups, organizations, and systems, Justin has always found ways to connect with and change the lives of individual families. After hearing about a family who lost their son, also named Justin Simmons, the Broncos safety connected with the family to express his condolences. For many, that would have been enough. Still, he took it a step further, inviting the family of eight to Colorado for the team’s home opener and taking care of all associated costs, including airfare, accommodations, tickets, and more. Justin continues to show up for team community events, including PLAY 60 clinics, children’s hospital visits, serving meals to the homeless, and more — leading the team with most community appearances by a Denver Bronco and leading as an example for younger players on the team.