Denver Broncos reopen camp, 50-plus former players to attend Wednesday

Monday’s showers brought Tuesday closures at UCHealth Training Center in Dove Valley. But, on Wednesday, the Denver Broncos headquarters will reopen for the die-hard fans who have to see their team practice and prepare for the season.

With fields submerged under multiple inches of water due to a freak storm Monday, the Broncos still practiced Tuesday but fans were disallowed to attend. At least the grounds crew had fun with the small disaster.

The #Broncos’ turf operations crew gets resourceful. When it rains … #BroncosCamp pic.twitter.com/sQjFKoUWta

— #BroncosCamp (@Broncos) August 10, 2015

But the team is making up for the closure with a litany of former Broncos players showing up to the practice fields on Wednesday, with the practice scheduled at the regular 9:30 a.m. MT start time and going until 11:30-ish. Make sure to arrive a bit early, as lines of cars waiting to park are a daily occurrence. Crowds of nearly 5,000 fans – with the record being 5,507 on Friday – have attended every day camp has been open.

Among those former players planning to be in attendance are Ring of Famers Rick Upchurch and Billy Thompson. Denver’s football franchise sticks out as one of a few which is a true family. The way they celebrate their players, with the Ring of Fame and halftime ceremonies, is special. Players reward that loyalty with loyalty of their own.

Players seen at practice since training camp opened on July 31 include: Rod Smith, Brandon Stokley, Joel Dreessen, Chris Kuper, Mark Schlereth, Terrell Davis and many more. Some of them – Smith and Davis, specifically – came to not only watch practice but impart knowledge and leadership among the current players.

If you’re planning on attending tomorrow, enjoy! It’s the last training camp practice until Aug. 17 due to the team’s first preseason game coming this Friday in Seattle versus the Seahawks. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. MT.