KUSA – David Bruton Jr., who always had the well-adjusted mix of confidence and humility, said Phillip Lindsay was correct in going to Terrell Davis for permission to wear No. 30.
“It wasn’t my number,’’ Bruton said Tuesday during a break from his Physics II class at the University of Colorado-Denver. “It’s always T.D.’s number regardless of how long I played. He’s the one that set the standard for that number. If T.D. is all for it, I’m all for it.’’
Bruton had been the last Broncos’ player to wear No. 30 until the rookie Lindsay took it Monday. A safety out of Notre Dame when he became the Broncos’ fourth-round draft pick in 2009, Bruton made his mark as one of the league’s best special teams players while wearing No. 30 for seven seasons here from 2009-‘15.
He played one more season for Washington in 2016 before retiring. The Broncos celebrated his career by bringing him out to practice last year and presenting him with a framed No. 30 jersey.
Davis wore No. 30 from 1995 – one year after Lindsay was born – until a knee injury prematurely cut short his Hall of Fame career prior to the 2002 season.
Lindsay, a Broncos’ rookie running back who grew up in Denver and is well familiar with Davis’ legacy, called the Super Bowl XXXII and NFL MVP to make sure it was all right to switch from No. 2 to No. 30.
Davis gave his blessing, just as he once did for Bruton.
“In my case it was the only DB number that was left,’’ Bruton said. “It was either “27” and Knowshon (Moreno) took it, or ‘’30.’’ I ended up with ‘’30’’ but ever since my rookie year and second year, T.D. would come up and say, ‘keep wearing 30 well.’’’
Bruton held up the No. 30 standard and then some off the field. Although he graduated with double degrees in political science and sociology at Notre Dame, he is changing his post-playing career direction to physical therapy.
Physics II is one of three prerequisite classes Bruton is taking this semester. He then plans to attend physical therapy school next year.
In the meantime, Bruton will pay attention to the Broncos’ new No. 30.
“Phillip will have a little more pressure than I did because he’s a running back,’’ he said. “Being a safety, I didn’t have to hold the standards of running for 2,000 yards in a season.’’
The Broncos have retired just three numbers – 18, for original quarterback Frank Tripucka; 44, for “franchise” running back Floyd Little; and 7, for the best player in team history, quarterback John Elway.
