ENGLEWOOD, Colo. –Despite being more than 1,000 miles away from where Hurricane Sandy made landfall, the devastating damage from the storm hit close to home for some Broncos.
Safety Mike Adams grew up in Wayne, N.J., and went to college at the University of Delaware, both of which are in the area hit hard by the storm. His family still lives in that area, and although he was able to fly his grandmother to Denver before it struck, his brothers and sisters stayed behind.
"I just got pictures sent of the old street I used to stay on, just flooded, trees falling on all type of cars and everything," Adams said. "It's tough because I'm walking outside with short sleeves on and flip flops. And my brothers and sisters are in the house with no power. That's a tough thing to swallow, and I can't get them out here because there are no flights or anything."
Running back Lance Ball hails from Teaneck, N.J., and went to school at Maryland. His family was also in the area that absorbed the brunt of the storm's force, but made it out safely.
"Luckily, they're at a higher elevation," Ball said. "So they didn't get that much water, but they're still in the thick of things."
Ball and Adams were both able to talk to family members, which helped put their minds at ease some, but both said all of those affected by the weather were still in their thoughts.
"I'm still worried," Adams said. "I try to call back home back and forth. Sometimes I can get through, sometimes I can't. I just do what I can."
"You just keep them in your prayers," Ball added. "Keep your family, friends and close ones in your prayers make sure everything turns out all right."
Quarterback Peyton Manning can empathize with those displaced by the storm, having witnessed destruction from Hurricane Katrina in his native New Orleans.
Manning's brother, Eli, found himself in the middle of Hurricane Sandy, which damaged his apartment in the New York City area.
"I've checked with Eli," he said. "Certainly from a football standpoint, their schedule has kind of been affected but he's OK. His family's OK. I think all of our prayers and thoughts are with the people in the New York area, the East coast area. Being from New Orleans, knowing first-hand what hurricanes can do, it's not a pleasant experience by any means."
