Abdulai Mansaray’s odyssey began in Sierra Leone. It took him to Europe, then Aurora, all with the aid of his grandmother, Adama Mansaray.
He’ll share some of his tales today at Invesco Field at Mile High, when the Gateway senior quarterback-kicker is honored as the fourth Brian Dawkins-Denver Post award winner when Oakland meets the Broncos.
“I’m very pumped about meeting him and I’m very familiar with him,” Mansaray said.
He carries a 3.9 grade-point average and is an aspiring FBI agent. He was abandoned by his parents in Africa, and his grandmother sold her clothes to keep him fed, then got him to safety.
Dawkins, a Broncos safety, chooses a prep player before each Broncos home game who demonstrates strong commitment to and accomplishment in sports and in the classroom, character off the field and an ability to overcome adversity.
The winner will receive two tickets to a Broncos home game and pregame sideline passes courtesy of Dawkins. The player must be accompanied by a parent or chaperone. Dawkins will meet with the player after the game.
Nominees must be submitted to The Denver Post at ndevlin@denverpost.com. Dawkins makes the final selection.
