The Lead
Former Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who was part of Denver's 2015 Super Bowl team, is helping a young photographer reach his goals.
Thirteen-year-old Isaac Edwards, a resident of Dallas, where Ware spent the beginning stretch of his NFL tenure, has dreams of becoming an sports photographer when he is older.
"When I grow up, I want to be a professional photographer," Edwards said. "It's my dream. I can't explain it. It's just my dream."
To help encourage Edwards' dreams of shooting in the NFL one day, Ware, along with Stand Together, provided Edwards with a week-long photography training course, a brand new camera and a surprise opportunity to photograph Ware in person.
"Edwards was gifted with a photography bootcamp and one-on-one photoshoot with Ware," Black Enterprise's Alexa Imani Spencer wrote. "The opportunity was sponsored by Stand Together, a philanthropic community of organizations that seek to remove societal barriers."
Ware's surprise appearance was the icing on the cake for Edwards, who had the opportunity to photograph Ware during a workout. Ware was impressed with Edwards' photography, and more than happy to give him an opportunity to reach his dreams.
"The reason why you're here is because we believe in you," Ware told Edwards. "We believe in what you want to do, and don't let anyone else tell you what you can't do."
Below the Fold
Despite the Broncos' Week 7 loss to Cleveland, Head Coach Vic Fangio believes in starting QB Teddy Bridgewater's ability to help turn the offense around.
Bridgewater entered the game with quad and foot injuries, and both he and the offense struggled in the first half vs. the Browns. Bridgewater threw an interception and managed only 58 yards in the first two quarters.
But despite his injuries, Bridgewater powered through, returning in the second half to add 129 yards and two touchdowns to his performance.
"Bridgewater came out in the second half and kindled the Broncos' offense with a 13-play, 79-yard touchdown march that concluded with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Melvin Gordon," NFL.com's Grant Gordon wrote.
After the game, Fangio stood by Bridgewater's performance and his position as the starter.
"I thought he played good, especially there in the second half," Fangio said. "I do not think Teddy's injuries from my vantage point affected him that much. I thought that he was courageous. He is our quarterback."
Bridgewater made no excuses after the loss, but committed to improving and focusing on the battles ahead.
"Yeah, there is definitely a sense of urgency not only to save the season but to win," Bridgewater said. "Honestly, we look at it as a marathon and each week is its own race. Or it is a 17-round fight and each week is its own round. The sense of urgency is really just to win. We can't look 10 weeks down from now, six weeks down from now. We've got 10 days to get this thing right. I think we got Washington next, so we get another opportunity to go out there and compete, stay together and try to turn this thing around."
