Already-injured Denver Broncos receiver shot twice after leaving strip club



Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds survived two gunshot wounds last Friday after he was followed by several vehicles on Interstate 25 in Colorado.

Reynolds — who's on the injured-reserve list with a broken finger — is not expected to miss any extra time despite a graze wound to the back of his head and another wound in his arm.

Broncos officials sent a statement to KUSA saying Reynolds was a victim of a shooting.

After leaving the strip club around 3 a.m. Oct. 18, the receiver reportedly was followed by two drivers when shots were fired. Reynolds and two other victims told police soon four vehicles were following Reynolds' blue Ford Bronco on the highway.

The victims said the Ford soon broke down, causing Reynolds, along with the passengers, to flee on foot.

Police later found the victims and separately located the vehicle southbound on I-25 with multiple bullet defects in the back and front windshields. Two fired cartridges were reportedly found behind the vehicle.

Aside from Reynolds, a second victim reportedly was shot in the back while a third victim was injured by broken glass.

Team sources said Reynolds was treated and released from a Denver-area hospital hours after the shooting, ESPN reported.

Despite his wounds, KUSA-TV reported that Reynolds isn't expected to miss any extra playing time and actually was at the Broncos' facility last Friday, the day of the shooting, presumably after his hospital visit. KUSA added that he's been "watching practices on the field all week."

Denver Police later announced the arrest of two men, Burr Charlesworth and Luis Mendoza, KUSA added. ESPN said they were "being held for investigation of attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault." Court documents state that video from the strip club shows Mendoza at the club, but he was not causing any problems. However, it was noted that the suspect was keeping his eyes on the victims before following them out.

Several other vehicles were reportedly seen pulling into the parking lot and apparently waiting for Reynolds to leave, with three vehicles eventually following him.

Broncos officials sent a statement to KUSA saying Reynolds was a victim of a shooting and that he "received treatment for minor injuries"; the team declined further comment.

Reynolds, 29, is in his eighth NFL season and recently signed a two-year, $9 million contract with Denver.

He played five games in 2024 before his recent injury and has gained over 3,000 receiving yards with 20 touchdowns in his career.

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Teammate shares inspiring story about NFL QB who waited on him after the game so the two could pray together: 'He didn’t know, I never told him, but I needed that prayer.'



An NFL player was left praising God this week after his teammate and quarterback decided to wait on him after Sunday's game so the two could share in a time of prayer.

What are the details?

In a heartfelt social media post on Tuesday, Denver Broncos defensive back Justin Simmons took time to thank quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for his act of kindness — and now other players and thousands of fans are taking notice.

"I have a small story to share from Sunday's game," Simmons wrote on Instagram.

"After every game, home or away, a group of players from both teams come together to say a prayer at midfield. It's my favorite thing about game day on Sunday. Giving thanks and praise to God win or lose," he continued.

"Well, after the game was over, I was asked to do an interview talking about the big win," he recounted. "Once the interview was over I immediately looked behind me towards the 50 yard line, nervous that I had missed the prayer, and I did. However, Teddy was there waiting and told me 'J! I got you man..I know you didn't wanna miss this' and started praying."

"There is a reason God brings people in[to] your life depending on what 'season' of life you're in," the free safety explained while reminiscing on the special moment.

"Teddy didn't know, I never told him, but I needed that prayer," he added. "I share this story as a reminder that God is ALWAYS for you. His timing is perfect and resting in that is fulfilling. God bless you all."

What else?

In response to the post, several current and former players, including Champ Bailey and PJ Locke III, added comments in support of Simmons and Bridgewater. The NFL Players Association also propped up the demonstration of sportsmanship.

But Simmons' and Bridgewater's relationship goes far beyond the football field. The two men, both outspoken Christians, are bonded by faith.

After suffering a season-ending torn ACL injury in 2016, Bridgewater, then a Minnesota Viking, relied on his faith in God to endure through the lengthy rehab. In an interview with Vikings reporters in 2017, Bridgewater said he "never lost faith" throughout the entire process.

"I never asked God why this happened to me, I've only told him thank you. A year later, he's showing me why this happened to me. Blessed," Bridgewater tweeted in August 2017.

Simmons has also leaned on his faith during his own time of uncertainty. During his contract year in the 2019-20 season, Simmons yielded his future to God.

"I just want to make sure [in seeking guidance and advice] that I'm just settled and comforted in the Lord's plan for my life and whatever that may look like," he told Sports Spectrum.

For him, the most important thing about football is the platform it gives him to share the Gospel.

"One of the things I love about my sport is the platform that comes with it. The bigger the platform, the more people I'm able to touch with the truth of the Gospel and just my relationship with the Lord. That's the biggest thing I'm thankful for," he said.

Simmons described his faith journey in a column published by The Increase in 2018.

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