Editor’s note: Rookie cornerback Domonique Foxworth, whom the Broncos drafted in the third round this year, will share his thoughts and experiences with readers in a weekly journal throughout the season. Foxworth was a three-year starter at Maryland, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in American studies and graduated in 3 1/2 years.
Some weeks I have difficulty finding a journal-worthy event in my life. This past week there was no such problem.
The most fascinating and stunning event was how I was needed to play a more significant role suddenly after Champ Bailey was injured in the season opener at Miami.
The cliché “you’re just one play away” rang true Sunday. As a second-team player I knew that in a split second I could be playing corner in a regular- season game, but I didn’t expect it. My role in the first half was on special teams, and I occasionally was able to spell Lenny Walls and Champ at corner. During the second half, one play changed all of that.
Early in the third quarter, I was standing on the sideline behind the defensive coaches waiting to go in for a punt return when I saw No. 24 lying on the field. The training staff shot by me on to the field to tend to Bailey. Assistant coach Jimmy Spencer then pointed to me and said, “You’re up.”
I was greeted in the huddle by a smiling Ian Gold with two words for me: “Let’s go.”
Throughout the game I made some plays for the team and also made some mistakes, which will be corrected.
After the game in the locker room I had to respond to questions regarding being nervous about filling in for Champ and about my part in a losing effort. To the dismay of the media, there were no nerves to speak of. There is no time for nervousness when something like that happens. In the course of a football game there is no time to think about what has happened; there is only time to react.
Unfortunately we didn’t react well enough. From here all we can do is accept responsibility and improve for next week.
