A construction worker has died after being found in a confined ceiling area at the Denver Broncos’ new $175 million practice facility, prompting the suspension of work at the site while an investigation takes place.
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the man was discovered at the construction site on Monday night. The facility, currently under construction, is set to become a state-of-the-art, 205,000-square-foot complex. Fire rescue crews responded to the scene and were able to reach the man, but he was pronounced dead at the location. His name has not yet been released, and a cause of death has not been confirmed.
Turner Construction Company, which is carrying out the build, confirmed work has been halted while the circumstances are investigated. Christopher McFadden, senior vice president of global communications for the company, said: “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the worker’s family, loved ones, friends and colleagues during this very difficult time. This is a heartbreaking loss for all those impacted by this tragedy.”
The Broncos also issued a statement expressing their sympathy. “The Denver Broncos are heartbroken to learn a subcontractor working on our new training center passed away Monday while on-site,” the team said. “We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the individual’s family, coworkers and friends during this difficult time.” According to the Denver Post, the team had been due to relocate from its current practice facility within days, as part of a gradual transition ahead of training camp starting in late July.
The tragedy adds to a difficult offseason for the franchise. Pass rusher Jonathon Cooper was arrested for a second time in a week earlier this month, facing new charges of harassment through repeated phone calls and violation of a protection order, according to court records. The protection order had been put in place to protect Cooper’s girlfriend after additional charges were filed on Wednesday in connection with his June 4 arrest in Parker, including a felony charge of second-degree assault by strangulation following a domestic dispute. Cooper could also face a lengthy suspension from the league as a result of the legal proceedings.
Amid the off-field difficulties, the Broncos kicked off mandatory minicamp on Tuesday with quarterback Bo Nix returning to practice in limited capacity for the first time since fracturing his right ankle during the team’s divisional playoff win over the Buffalo Bills in January. Nix underwent a cleanup procedure on the ankle this spring rather than delaying it until next offseason. “It was great,” he said of his return. “I’m sort of glad we got it all out of the way, don’t have to do it in the years to come. But football’s a physical game, so there’s no telling what will come up, but for right now I feel really good about the steps I’m making and I’m going to be just fine.” Asked whether he expected to be fully cleared by the start of training camp, Nix laughed and said: “Yeah, I could go full-go right now if they wanted me to.”
