Latimer’s impact felt in Denver
Dayton native’s greatest contributions this season have come off the field.
Some of the most memorable moments in Dayton native Cody Latimer’s second NFL season haven’t come on the field, but in hospitals.
The Denver Broncos wide receiver and Jefferson High School graduate welcomed his first child into the world Dec. 2.
“It’s been amazing, a life-changing moment,” said Latimer, who named his son Jacolby, which is a hybrid combination of the baby’s mother’s name, Jaimee, and the first name of Latimer’s late father, Colby.
“It was important to me to name my first child after my dad,” Latimer said. “My dad didn’t get to make it as far as he should have. He got sick and passed away, so I feel like I’m getting to live his dream out.”
Latimer’s father, who played linebacker at Bowling Green, died of cancer at age 38 in 2005.
After excelling at Indiana University, where he was a second-team All-American, Cody Latimer went to the Broncos in the second round of the 2014 draft. And shortly after signing his rookie contract, he launched a website
— thecodylatimer.com — where he sells custom T-shirts and donates the profits to the American Cancer Society in honor of his father.
His father’s memory also sends Latimer to Children’s Hospital Colorado on his Tuesday off days to visit patients on the oncology floor. But during one of those trips on Nov. 17, the Broncos asked Latimer to visit a different wing of the hospital. That’s where he met 8-year-old Carson Cline, a cerebral palsy patient and a huge Broncos fan who had heard about Latimer’s visits and requested to meet him.
Seeing that Carson was wearing a Demaryius Thomas jersey, Latimer grabbed his phone and Facetimed his Pro Bowl teammate so Cline could meet his hero.
Latimer said he spent “30 or 40 minutes” with Carson, talking about their favorite team, signing his autograph, asking for Carson’s in return and learning about his medical history, which includedmultiple brain surgeries, an eye surgery and a recent spine surgery, which was the reason for his latest visit to the hospital, which was supposed to be a sixweek stay.
The two also posed for a photo. They sat on the edge of the bed with their arms folded and heads cocked in what Carson called his “cool guy pose,” Latimer said.
Latimer posted the photo on his Instagram account with the caption, “He said this is his touchdown pose.”
Five days later in Chicago, Latimer caught a 10-yard pass from Brock Osweiler in the fourth quarter for his first career touchdown and immediately struck Carson’s pose in the end zone.
“I told him I would do it whenever I got into the end zone,” Latimer said. “I didn’t know it was going to be so soon. Your first touchdown is always a memorable moment, but to be able to do that for him while beating the Bears (17-15) in a crazy game, it was awesome.”
Three weeks later the two reunited, but not in the hospital. Carson was Latimer’s guest on the Broncos sideline prior to the Dec. 13 game against Oakland.
And this time Carson wasn’t wearing his No. 88 Thomas jersey. He had a brand new No. 14 Latimer one. Latimer introduced Carson to all of his teammates, including Miamisburg grad David Bruton Jr., a safety who was playing a big role for the NFL’s No. 1 defense before he suffered a season-ending broken leg last week at Pittsburgh.
“Carson loved every minute of it,” Latimer said. “It was great to see him so happy.”
Latimer didn’t catch any passes for Carson that day. In fact, he’s only caught one since his touchdown in Chicago. But his opportunities have been limited with Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders ahead of him on the depth chart.
Most of Latimer’s contributions come on special teams. That’s where he made one of the biggest plays of the season for the Broncos when he forced a fumble by New England’s Chris Harper on a late punt return.
The Patriots appeared to be headed to an 11-0 start with a 21-7 lead, but Latimer’s play sparked a rally that forced overtime and eventually led to a 30-24 Broncos win.
Latimer caught two passes for 23 yards as a rookie and has just six receptions for 59 yards this season, but Denver coach Gary Kubiak said he’s been impressed by what he’s seen in Latimer’s limited action.
“He has grown a great deal,” Kubiak said. “Obviously we have two starters that don’t missmuch time, so there’s not a lot of space out there for him. But he’s done a good job adapting to our system. He’s big, strong and can run. I think there’s going to be more opportunities that come his way.
“He’s a fine young man,” Kubiak continued. “And he’s got a very bright future in this league.”