Editor’s note: Broncos rookie cornerback Domonique Foxworth is sharing his thoughts and experiences with readers in a weekly journal throughout the season. Foxworth encourages support of the Ambassadors for Literacy program for youth. For more about the program, go to www.ambassadorsforliteracy.net.
In true Halloween fashion, this past week’s practices were haunted by a fourth-quarter misstep at Giants Stadium. The painful loss loomed over us like a menacing spirit. But on Sunday our defense, offense and special teams came together and exorcised the previous week’s demon.
The implications of defeating Philadelphia on Sunday were enormous for us as a team, and even more so for me as a young NFL player. Much like the Sunday against the Giants, I found myself sharing the end zone and spotlight with a receiver – at a critical point in the game.
The similarities in the two plays were eerie. Giants quarterback Eli Manning looked left, turned back right and threw into the end zone. Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb looked left, turned back right and threw into the end zone.
Again the ball was coming in my direction, carrying the fate of the game with it. In the game at Giants Stadium, I dived for the ball and landed empty-handed. But at Invesco Field at Mile High, carried by the cheers of 78,000 fans, I dived and landed with the ball firmly in my hands.
The offense then took over, mounting a long drive capped by a game-clinching Todd Devoe touchdown.
The presence of our hospitalized teammate, Dwayne Cars- well, was sorely missed. But knowing he was watching Sunday served as motivation.
We ended the game with a decisive victory and headed into the bye week 6-2, looking forward to the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate ourselves after a grueling week.
