ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The University of Miami has the “Turnover Chain” — a gold-linked chain featuring over 2,500 sapphires.
The University of Georgia has the “Savage Pads” — a set of football shoulder pads with golden spikes jutting out of the top.
The University of Alabama has the “Ball Out Belt” — a WWE-style championship belt.
Those are all highly-coveted items given out by those respective college football teams to their own players who force a turnover in a game. The Denver Broncos are now in on the fun.
On Thursday, Vic Fangio revealed his own version for the Broncos.
“A little deal with the players last week that if we won and certain other things happened, I was giving up my parking spot to a player for the week,” Fangio said on Thursday when a reporter noticed the head coach’s car wasn’t parked in his prime-time parking spot at the UCHealth Training Center.
While the “Parking Spot” certainly isn’t as flashy as getting to wear an Orange & Green sapphire encrusted “U” pendant hanging on a gold necklace, make no mistake about it, there’s no better parking spot in Broncos Country.
Although Fangio’s deal with the team was contingent on a win against the New England Patriots, it went to rookie cornerback Michael Ojemudia for his forced fumble in the third quarter that led to a turnover and an eventual Brandon McManus field goal.
“It’s his for the week,” Fangio stated, not revealing where he’s parking for the week.
Ojemudia was close to earning two parking spots as he forced two fumbles against the Patriots, but only one led to a turnover. Fellow cornerback Bryce Callahan and defensive lineman DeShawn Williams could have also been entitled to the parking spot as they each had an interception. That is, of course, if the “certain other things” Fangio eluded to in his deal with the players was creating turnovers.
Speaking of experienced players, the head coach had some advice for the rookie cornerback.
“He should be giving [the parking spot] to some veteran players though,” Fangio stated.
This isn’t the first time Fangio’s made a deal like this with his players in the past. Over the past three decades of his NFL coaching career, he’s done something similar “a couple of times over the years,” but added it’s not something he’s done much.
Fangio chose the right time to break out this type of deal. Sitting at 1-3 before the game against the Patriots, the Broncos desperately needed a win. On top of that, Denver’s defense had only forced two turnovers in their first four games. With the prime parking spot up for grabs, Fangio’s defense created three takeaways against New England.
In the future, if Fangio’s car isn’t in his normal parking spot, just steps away from the door into the Broncos facility, it’s likely because his team cashed in on another one of his deals, not because he got a new car.
“I don’t get new cars,” Fangio stated.
With winter right around the corner, Fangio’s parking spot will only become more sought after. That is, of course, if Fangio keeps the deal on the table and if the Broncos are able to bring home more wins and force more turnovers.
