Malcolm Whye always seems to know the right place to go, and he certainly does today.
That would be Invesco Field at Mile High, where the Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs and the wide receiver at Class 5A two-time defending state champion Mullen will be honored as the fifth Brian Dawkins-Denver Post award winner this season.
“He’s one of my favorite Broncos, if not my favorite,” Whye said of Dawkins.
Other places on Whye’s radar include keeping his grade-point average up — he’s at 4.1 — while handling college prep and advanced placement courses.
“My mom (Diana Whye) always told me to get good grades and that they come first,” he said.
There’s also college, where Whye is keeping his options open among a handful of in-state schools as well as those beyond the Colorado borders. Career-wise, the fields of sports medicine or agent may draw his interest.
Whye, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound senior, understands his spot on the Mustangs. He stands second in receptions (18), is averaging 21.2 yards per catch and has scored three touchdowns.
“It’s a fun team,” Whye said.
He accomplishes all of it from a single-parent home. Despite little contact with his father, Whye makes do.
“He’s not in my life, but I go and visit him sometimes,” Whye said. “It would be nice to have him there. My (older brother Justin) does a good job, gives me the role model I need.”
Whye will have some questions for Dawkins.
“I’m going to ask him how it feels playing in the league,” Whye said, “and how it was for him growing up. Maybe he can teach me about life and stuff.”
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.
