The Denver Broncos have 53 men on the roster foaming at the mouth to play at the new Levi’s stadium in San Francisco; one of those 53 men called the bay area home for the past nine years.
Former San Francisco 49ers all-star tight end Vernon Davis was selected sixth overall in the 2006 NFL draft by the 49ers and had an immediate impact on the organization. Davis accumulated a total of 22 touchdowns and one pro-bowl nod in his first four years in the league, despite butting heads with then Coach Mike Singletary. The star power of Davis kept rising in the Bay Area.
Years passed as the veteran tight end was selected to his second pro-bowl in 2013 and cemented his place in the record books; Davis has the second most playoff touchdowns of any tight end in NFL history, being passed by Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski this season.
With his career starting to slow, the 49ers staff decided it was time to move on from the face of their franchise and on November 2nd, 2015, Davis was traded to the Mile High City.
With a plethora of young and veteran tight ends already on the roster, the move made by Vice President of operations John Elway seemed like a ploy to bolster the locker room, instead of having Davis on the gridiron, who was only being able to accumulate 201 yards on 28 targets.
Even though Davis has not produced like he is capable while wearing the Orange & Blue, his presence has been felt; it only seems fitting he plays in his second Super Bowl where he used to call home.
“It all seemed surreal to me when we first got the win over the Patriots. I was like, ‘Wow, we’re actually going back to Levi’s Stadium.’ It couldn’t get any better that,” Davis told Denver media Wednesday. “It couldn’t get any better than this. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m very pleased, thankful and excited all at the same time for an opportunity to go in and experience this year’s Super Bowl in Levi’s Stadium.”
Davis was honest when asked if playing the biggest game of his career in the stadium who hosts the team who traded him this season.
“Sometimes you just have to let things go. It’s nothing personal,” he explained. “My mindset and my focuses are on this game and doing whatever I can do. Whether it’s going out there and getting two or three big blocks, whatever it may be to help this team win in Super Bowl 50. That’s my only goal.”
Davis also offered advice for the young players getting ready to play the big game for the first time.
“It’s just like a playoff game. You just slow everything down, take your time, one play at a time and just go fast. Move around fast, play fast and just slow your mind down. You have to,” the 9-year veteran added. “It is normal [to feel nervous], and you can get a bit overwhelmed if you’re moving too fast in your mind. That’s why you have to breathe and just take your time.”
Saving some of his veteran wisdom for the end of the press conference, Davis ended with solid advice.
“It’s all mental because when you get in the stadium, you look around and you might see Beyonce,” he concluded. “You have Eddie Murphy on this side and there are so many people. It’s such a big deal. You can’t get caught up in the outside. You can’t get caught up in that. You just have to keep your focus within the game and within the moment.”
This is Denver’s eighth trip to the Super Bowl, tying an NFL Record. With the sour taste in the mouths for all which participated two seasons ago, this team should be focused and ready to play an entire 60-minutes. With the help of veterans like Davis, Denver could be able to gallop home with a third Lombardi trophy.
