Broncos players report soreness from bus crash
SAN FRANCISCO — The Broncos’ Monday bus crash might have resulted in more fallout than first thought.
A Denver TV station reported Tuesday several Broncos players reported lingering soreness and headaches from the collision of three buses carrying the team back from practice for Super Bowl 50 at Stanford.
The accident resulted from a motorist refusing to yield to the Broncos’ police escort, causing the second and third buses to collide when the first bus slammed on the brakes to avoid the motorist.
The team re l eased a statement Monday afternoon saying no players were injured, but Denver’s KUSA-TV reported that several sought treatment from the Broncos’ training staff for soreness and headaches.
Denver coach Gary Kubiak downplayed the broadcast report Tuesday afternoon.
“Obviously, it scared some guys,” Kubiak said. “We went through a tough situation, but after going through every guy who was on the buses, [Broncos athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos] did a great job.
“They got them back here, checked them all out,” Kubiak added. “We feel very fortunate. We feel like everybody is fine. I think that’s behind us and behind us the right way, because everybody is OK. That’s the good thing.”
Rivera expects Allen to play Sunday
Panthers coach Ron Rivera admitted it was not easy to tell veteran defensive end Jared Allen he would not be playing in the NFC title game.
Rivera did not think Allen, dealing with a foot injury, would be able to help, and the Panthers routed the Cardinals without him.
“I respected his decision, but that doesn’t mean I have to be happy with it,’’ Allen said Tuesday. “It all worked out great.”
Rivera said he does not see having to have a similar conversation with Allen heading into Sunday’s Super Bowl 50 against the Broncos.
“I think having the extra week off is huge,’’ Rivera said. “As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he and I have talked about it, what the benefit of having those extra four, five, six days off have meant to his foot. He’s practiced very well.”
Osweiler: Tough to go back to the bench
Broncos backup quarterback Brock Osweiler said being demoted for the playoffs has been difficult.
Osweiler went 5-2 in place of Peyton Manning before losing the job back to the future Hall of Famer midway through the regular-season finale.
“If I said it was easy these two games to sit back and watch, I’d completely be lying,” Osweiler said. “So it is difficult to sit back and watch. As a competitor you want to be out there in the fire with your teammates.”
NYC native Lady Gaga to sing national anthem
The NFL announced Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. The singer, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, is a New York City native.