Until last week, Broncos assistant defensive backs coach Jimmy Spencer and his family of four had a lot of room living in a five-bedroom house in Parker.
It’s become a lot cozier.
The family grew by nine in the past week, with another on the way. Several family members and friends, including the mother and sister of Spencer’s wife, Tanya, had to evacuate New Orleans because of Hurricane Katrina.
As far as Spencer is concerned, the move is permanent. The relatives from New Orleans lost their homes, along with everything they owned in the hurricane.
“There is no more New Orleans,” said Spencer, adding that the new children in the home are being enrolled in local schools. “New Orleans doesn’t exist anymore. They’re all staying here. This is their home now.”
Most of the family was able to leave before the devastation. Spencer, a native of Florida and a veteran of hurricanes, said they had the family flee to Arkansas before Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. They were then able to get the family to Colorado.
Though the household has more than tripled and the reason behind it is dire, Spencer said the busy home is a happy one.
“Spirits are high,” Spencer said. “Everyone is just so thankful to be safe.”
Wide receiver Rod Smith, the Broncos’ NFL Players Association representative, said the team is putting together a hurricane relief fund. Smith is in contact with team owner Pat Bowlen about the process, as he was for the Broncos’ donations after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Atlanta running back Warrick Dunn on Thursday challenged every NFL player, except members of the New Orleans Saints, to donate $5,000 to hurricane relief efforts. Baltimore cornerback Deion Sanders made a similar plea Friday for all professional athletes to donate $1,000 each.
Smith said Broncos players will stay within the framework of the team’s donation process.
“There are so many people looking to scam people from this,” Smith said. “That’s why we’re going to go through the proper channels and make sure the money gets in the right hands. We’re doing our part, but we’re going to do it the smart way. This isn’t charity, this is survival, so we have to make sure the money gets to the people who need it.”
