A construction worker was found dead inside a confined ceiling area at the Denver Broncos’ new $175 million practice facility on Monday night. The project is run by Turner Construction Company, which said work has been suspended while an investigation is carri
A life ended in an unexpected place on Monday night: a confined ceiling area of the Denver Broncos’ new $175 million practice facility.
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office said the worker was discovered inside the ceiling at the construction site. Fire rescue crews were able to access the man at the scene, and he was later pronounced dead. His name has not been released, and no cause of death has been provided.
Turner Construction Company, the contractor carrying out the work, said construction has been suspended while an investigation takes place.
In a statement, Christopher McFadden, senior VP of global communications, offered condolences to those affected. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the worker’s family. loved ones. friends and colleagues during this very difficult time. ” he wrote. “This is a heartbreaking loss for all those impacted by this tragedy.”.
The new facility is set to become a state-of-the-art 205,000-square-foot site, and the Broncos are planning a gradual move of offices and operations from the current practice facility within days. Training camp is scheduled to begin in late July.
The Broncos’ own statement echoed the team’s shock and 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.”.
The death comes as the Broncos work through a tense stretch off the field. Earlier this month, pass rusher Jonathon Cooper was arrested for the second time in a week. He faced multiple charges last week tied to violations of a protection order that had been filed against him after his initial arrest stemming from a domestic dispute with his girlfriend earlier this month.
Cooper is now facing new charges of harassment from repeated phone calls and violation of a protection order. with court records noting the details. The protection order was put in place for Cooper’s girlfriend after two additional charges—including a felony charge of second-degree assault by strangulation—were added Wednesday from Cooper’s June 4 arrest in Parker. Beyond the legal process, the league suspension risk remains a serious concern.
Those distractions have been paired with football preparations on the field. The Broncos kicked off their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday with quarterback Bo Nix among the notable attendees. Nix is returning from two ankle surgeries and practiced on a limited basis for the first time since breaking his right ankle late in overtime of the Broncos’ divisional playoff win over the Buffalo Bills in January.
“It was great,” Nix said, describing the return to practice. “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 expects to be full-go by training camp in late July, Nix laughed and added: “Yeah, I could go full-go right now if they wanted me to.”
Denver Broncos practice facility $175 million Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Turner Construction construction worker death Bo Nix mandatory minicamp Jonathon Cooper Parker