David Bruton Jr. Talks about Life After Football
This month’s cover story features David Bruton Jr. who shares his life after football. Culture & Style Editor ANNIE BLOJ talks to the ex-Bronco about leaving the game and his new career. David was photographed with his wife Tina Bruton who wears a dress from Garbarini in Cherry Creek.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ESTHER LEE LEACH
HAIR (TINA): MACKENZIE DAVIS FOR KENZE HAIR STUDIO
MAKEUP: AMY DICKERSON FOR LIVE LOVE LASH
Annie Bloj: David, you have lived such an interesting and varied life. Through researching you for this feature, I'm consistently struck by your curiosity. You seem time and time again to take risks, go against the grain, and continue to push yourself in unexpected ways. A quote of yours that I came across in previous interviews that stuck with me was, "I was the guy who was always asking questions.". Well, David, thank you for letting me ask you some questions this time around!
David, I'm sure that most people know you for your accomplishments in football. You played through high school, started for Notre Dame, went on to have an incredible career with the Broncos (including winning a Super Bowl), and then played for the Washington Redskins. What got you started in football, and what did you love about it the most?
David Bruton Jr: Football wasn't my original passion. I was the skinny kid, and my dad said I would be his basketball player, and my younger but bigger brother would be the football athlete. I decided in 7th grade to try football on for size, and I grew a fondness for football. With that being said, it wasn't all love. There were times I even wanted to quit before I got to college. My dad, my coach (Tim Lewis), and his son (Kelly) persuaded me to stick with football after my freshman season in high school.
“I feel that athletes would be doing a huge disservice with their gifts if they did not use it to better our communities. It’s imperative to leave a legacy beyond what you do within your respective sport, especially in the middle of this social injustice storm.”
AB: People might not know that you were initially a pre-med student while at Notre Dame, then you changed your major to political science and sociology. An exciting and lucrative career in the NFL was calling, but did you sometimes wonder what it would be like to follow a different path?
DBJ: The thought had crossed my mind from time to time. But at the end of the day, football allowed me to provide for my family and make a difference in the lives of many people.
AB: Throughout your football career, you suffered severe injuries, sometimes even playing through them. Is it through those experiences that you became interested in physical therapy?
DBJ: I became interested in physical therapy long before the NFL became a reality. I had many injuries, sport induced as well as caused by growth spurts. Through those injuries and growing pains, I found physical therapy and became intrigued by the profession, so much so that I even shadowed PTs while I was in high school. The relationship formed between the PTs and me was something I never experienced with any other healthcare provider. That rapport, that trust, the knowledge involved in the profession, was something I sought after.
AB: In 2017 you announced your retirement from the NFL and are now pursuing your degree as a Doctor of Physical Therapy at CU Anschutz School of Medicine. Were these decisions hard to make, or did it feel like a natural progression?
DBJ: The decision to move on from the NFL was something I discussed with my family and the woman who was my girlfriend at the time who later became my wife. As far as pursuing a doctorate of Physical therapy, I always foresaw myself going back to school during or after my playing career was done.
AB: You founded your non-profit Bruton's Books to encourage literacy and help low-income children in grades K-3 become strong readers. What about books and reading spoke to you when you were considering starting a non-profit?
DBJ: Honestly, I was the guy in the locker room during training camp and throughout the season who would read a book during our breaks. It could be during lunch, during treatment, in the cold tub, I always tried to have a book in my hand. I understand the power of knowledge, and I wanted to do something outside of a football camp. I wanted to use my platform to promote literacy, something that I enjoy, and use that love and my platform to empower our youth.
“The NFL was extremely late to join the movement, especially when a considerable percentage of their players are of color. I would love to have seen the sport that I have grown to love and had helped provide for myself and my family to take that initiative to promote social justice. ”
AB: What is one of your favorite books, and why?
DBJ: It is hard to identify one book that is my absolute favorite because I feel as though it may change with the seasons. However, I have a couple of favorite authors, including Sandra Brown and James Rollins. Both authors have a writing style that captivates me and keeps my mind stimulated.
AB: With the current NFL season kicking off recently with such widespread attention to racial justice, can you share your thoughts on athletes becoming spokespeople for social justice?
DBJ: I feel that athletes would be doing a huge disservice with their gifts if they did not use it to better our communities. Athletes are idolized for things they do on the basketball court, on the football field, in a baseball stadium, etc., why not be idolized for taking a stand for something bigger than sports. It's imperative to leave a legacy beyond what you do within your respective sport, especially in the middle of this social injustice storm.
AB: It's evident that the NFL is extremely "late to the game" in their support of the Black Live Matter movement; what do you hope to see change?
DBJ: The NFL was extremely late to join the movement, especially when a considerable percentage of their players are of color. I would love to have seen the sport that I have grown to love and had helped provide for myself and my family to take that initiative to promote social justice.
AB: Can you share a few of your experiences with discrimination due to the color of your skin? What do you wish more people understood about being a Black man in America right now?
DBJ: It's hard to isolate just a few times where I felt racially discriminated. But, I will share the time I was in Washington D.C. during my 8th year in the league, and I got pulled over driving back to Ashburn, VA. I pulled over to the side of the road, and the officer approached my passenger side door. As he got closer, I noticed that he unclasped his holster and had his hand on the gun. He came up to the window and asked for license and registration, on top of where I was from. I reached for my wallet up towards the front window to hand to him, something that I have been accustomed to do to eliminate/mitigate a threatening situation. The officer went to his car, ran my information, and came back to ask me if I had a front plate to put on my truck. I said, "yessir, I do. It is tucked behind the passenger seat." As I reached behind the seat, I felt beyond nervous and scared that he may mistake me for reaching for a weapon. That was a moment I felt discriminated against and that I was an automatic threat because I am a black man.
I wish people understood the actual discrimination and adversity that came along being born BLACK. A black man, a black woman, a black child, it doesn't matter, we are exposed to personal/systemic racism/injustice at some point in our life. I wish people could feel the fear that courses through my body as a cop pulls up behind me or someone honks their horn as I am out riding my bike. It is like we must remain alert at all times, and that is exhausting.
AB: As a father to three kids during this incredibly challenging time, how are you managing your course load at Anschutz, Bruton's Books, and family life? What has kept you in Denver all these years?
DBJ: I wouldn't say that I am managing this incredibly challenging time. I would have to give credit to my beautiful wife and best friend. She has remained the glue during these trying times with school, the foundation, our family, and don't forget COVID. She has held down the fort with flying colors.
I think that initially, I stayed in Denver because of the community. It welcomed me from the beginning of my playing days to retirement and beyond. Along with the views and the multiple activities, you can participate in here. There's a feeling of small big city life here. There are many outdoor activities that I can do here, but not where I'm from in Kentucky or Ohio. The weather! Even though it can change its mind in an instant. There is a lot to love about Denver!
David with wife Tina Bruton.
AB: David, thank you so much for opening up to us about your experiences, the tough decisions you’ve had to make, and the path you’ve chosen. Also, thank you for letting us all try on your Super Bowl ring at the photoshoot! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you and the impact you’ll have long-term in our community.
David Bruton Jr: @d_brutjr30
Tina Bruton: @_tina_bruton
Kenze Hair Studio: @kenzehair_studio
Amy Dickerson: @livelovelash
Annie Bloj: @theblojreport
Esther Lee Leach: @estherleeleach
Garbarini: @garbarinishop