September 29th 2024.
It was a day to remember for Justin Strnad as he stepped onto the field at East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Broncos inside linebacker had just experienced his first career sack on his very first defensive snap in 2021. However, his mind was not preoccupied with his own accomplishments. Strnad, who grew up near Tampa, Florida, had family and friends all over the area that were affected by Hurricane Helene in recent days. He estimated having close to 100 of them at Raymond James Stadium just a week ago. But as he watched helplessly from The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia, he saw the hurricane make landfall and cause significant damage to his home area.
"My house took some damage," Strnad shared, referring to Dunedin, where his family lives. "I have a couple of places that took some damage, but compared to some of my friends and family, it's not even close to what they're going through." Despite this, he couldn't help but express his gratitude towards his family for their unwavering support. They were quick to lend a helping hand, cleaning up and taking care of everything at his house the very next day. "Their support and everything they've done for me, I can't thank them enough," he added.
On the field, Strnad put on a stellar performance in Denver's 10-9 victory against the New York Jets. After spending the last two-plus seasons solely on special teams, the fourth-year linebacker finally got the opportunity to show his worth on defense. Thanks to a blitz called by defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Strnad had a chance to make an impact on the very first snap of the game. And he did not disappoint.
It was a moment that Strnad couldn't help but compare to sacking Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers' star quarterback. "I think I'm about to sack Aaron Rodgers," he jokingly thought to himself as he came free and saw the Jets' quarterback, Zach Wilson, looking the other way. And just like that, he made the play, setting the tone for a dominant defensive display. This was a remarkable achievement for a guy who would have much rather been back home helping with the cleanup efforts in Florida.
But Strnad credits his success to the unwavering support and belief of those back home. "Everyone believed in me," he said with a smile. "Everybody's always believed in me back home, and you've got to be ready for that opportunity." And he certainly was ready when it came, even if it took a while to get there. "It took a little while to get it, but I'm glad I did," he added with a sense of satisfaction.
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