Spiritguy
06-06-2009, 11:35 AM
As a way to honor the legacy of former Bronco Al Wilson, rookie Robert Ayers (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=9871) has chosen to wear Wilson's No. 56 jersey.
Wilson, a standout linebacker for the orange and blue, was a two-time All-Pro selection and a five-time Pro Bowler during his tenure with the Broncos from 1999-2007.
That is reason enough for Ayers -- who will see time at linebacker -- to want to honor Wilson. But the two have another connection: both are University of Tennessee alums.
Originally, Ayers planned to wear his collegiate number, 91, which belongs to Ronald Fields (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=9701). With that number taken, Ayers was offered No. 56. Recalling growing up watching Wilson play with reckless abandon each Sunday for the Broncos, Ayers thought it would be special to represent his fellow Volunteer. First, however, he wanted to get Wilson's blessing.
"I talked to him about having his number … he said it's always good to have a guy from Tennessee representing him," Ayers said. "And that's what I told him I'm going to try and do. I'm going to try to hold his number down and do my best I can. It's a big privilege to wear his number - as a Bronco and as Tennessee alum, he means a lot to me."
Despite wearing the same number as Wilson, Ayers said he won't try to emulate him. Instead, he plans on carving his own legacy in Bronco Country.
"I could never be an Al Wilson, whether I have his number or his cleats or whatever I put on of his," he said. "I'll never be another Al Wilson, I'm just going to try to be Robert Ayers, play my game, bring my type of intensity and do the things that I do well."
http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=9079
Wilson, a standout linebacker for the orange and blue, was a two-time All-Pro selection and a five-time Pro Bowler during his tenure with the Broncos from 1999-2007.
That is reason enough for Ayers -- who will see time at linebacker -- to want to honor Wilson. But the two have another connection: both are University of Tennessee alums.
Originally, Ayers planned to wear his collegiate number, 91, which belongs to Ronald Fields (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=9701). With that number taken, Ayers was offered No. 56. Recalling growing up watching Wilson play with reckless abandon each Sunday for the Broncos, Ayers thought it would be special to represent his fellow Volunteer. First, however, he wanted to get Wilson's blessing.
"I talked to him about having his number … he said it's always good to have a guy from Tennessee representing him," Ayers said. "And that's what I told him I'm going to try and do. I'm going to try to hold his number down and do my best I can. It's a big privilege to wear his number - as a Bronco and as Tennessee alum, he means a lot to me."
Despite wearing the same number as Wilson, Ayers said he won't try to emulate him. Instead, he plans on carving his own legacy in Bronco Country.
"I could never be an Al Wilson, whether I have his number or his cleats or whatever I put on of his," he said. "I'll never be another Al Wilson, I'm just going to try to be Robert Ayers, play my game, bring my type of intensity and do the things that I do well."
http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=9079