Understanding the signing of Todd Davis requires a look beyond the white lines

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — With his usual tight-fitting hat pulled down over his brow and a big smile on his face, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Woods approached the podium and said the words Todd Davis has been waiting a very long time to hear.

“On behalf of the Denver Broncos organization, John Elway and our Head Coach Vance Joseph, we are all very excited to have Todd back on a three-year contract.”

It was all a dream come true for Davis, who began to wonder if this day would ever come when he was cut by the New Orleans Saints for the fourth time back in 2014.

But the dream stayed alive when he got a call from Denver just one day later and he’s been a Bronco ever since.

That phrase “he’s been a Bronco,” though—when used about Todd Davis—doesn’t just mean he’s put on Orange & Blue on Sundays. No, being a Bronco is why Todd Davis stood in front of a group of media on Thursday with a brand new suit on.

“Todd embodies everything we look for in a Denver Broncos football player,” Woods explained. “He’s smart, he’s tough and he has outstanding work ethic.”

In December, Davis won the Broncos’ Ed Block Courage Award, an honor voted on by teammates and given to the player who is a “role model of inspiration, sportsmanship, and courage.”

“Todd is special,” head coach Vance Joseph said at the time, his comments serving as a prelude for those given by Woods on Thursday. “Todd is one of our best leaders. Todd plays with injuries. Todd never complains. Todd is the same guy every day. Todd is an example of being a great pro. Through the good times and through the bad times, Todd has never changed. His work ethic has never changed. If it’s a walkthrough, Todd is full speed. Todd is what I want all of our guys to aspire to be.”

On that day in late December, as the Broncos miserable season waned away, it was hard to imagine the unrestricted-free-agent to be wouldn’t be a Bronco when the team took the field in 2018.

On Thursday, we asked Davis what exactly it means to him to “be a Bronco.”

“A Bronco is a hardworking player and a hardworking guy. Somebody who never gives up on himself or his teammates,” he began, shedding a $15 million-dollar smile. “Somebody who is there for everybody around—a great person on and off the field.”

He paused.

“Just hearing those words is huge for me, so it’s hard to kind of explain what it means.”

“I just feel like somebody that is continually accountable and somebody that anybody is willing to be called on at any moment. Somebody that you know that is going to be there and give you 100 percent, 100 percent of the time.”

Despite play that’s better than he often gets credit for, Davis has been one of the most maligned players on the Broncos defense over the past two seasons. A “thumper” by nature, the former Sacramento State Hornet leaves something to be desired in coverage, but is also as stout as they come when it comes to stuffing the run.

Understanding the Broncos’ decision to sign him to a three-year, $15 million deal, though, goes beyond Xs and Os.

“I would love to be a Bronco forever,” Davis concluded. “I love the city of Denver. It’s amazing here.”