Morning Roundup: Tony Sparano Dies Unexpectedly At 56

FORT COLLINS — When putting together this year’s schedule, Cherry Creek had a problem. No other top Class 5A football program besides Regis Jesuit and Pine Creek wanted to, or could, face the Bruins in non-conference play. So Cherry Creek was forced to schedule three out-of-state bouts in Utah, Nebraska and Texas in order to ensure the Bruins had enough games. Those road trips molded Cherry Creek for its seventh straight Class 5A title appearance on Saturday, where the Bruins are a heavy favorite against Legend at Canvas Stadium. “We learned a lot about our team (from those games),” Cherry Creek head coach Dave Logan said.

The Broncos are going young at wide receiver. Denver waived wide receiver Josh Reynolds on Tuesday, according to the league’s transaction wire. Reynolds broke his finger catching a touchdown Week 5 against Las Vegas and needed minor surgery, landing him on injured reserve. While he was out, Reynolds was shot twice in an incident during which he and two others had their vehicle shot at more than 30 times in what the Denver District Attorney’s Office called a “coordinated, organized” attack. Reynolds also watched as several young Denver wide receivers — notably rookies Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin — saw the field more and more and got more comfortable. Now Reynolds will be on waivers for a day and any team can claim him for the stretch run of the season. Related Articles Denver Broncos | Former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan passed over for Pro Football Hall of Fame 2025 class consideration Denver Broncos | NFL playoff picture 2024: Where the Broncos stand entering their Week 14 bye week Denver Broncos | Broncos stock report: WR Courtland Sutton’s hot streak continues in win over Browns Denver Broncos | How Marvin Mims Jr.

Paul Millsap, who spent four of his 16 NBA seasons with the burgeoning Denver Nuggets, announced his retirement from basketball on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Millsap, 39, most recently suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022. He averaged 13.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 blocks per game in a career that spanned five teams and four All-Star Game appearances. When he signed with Denver for three years and $90 million in 2017, it marked one of the most significant free-agent acquisitions in franchise history.

Mike Shanahan will wait at least another year for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The winningest coach in Broncos history was passed over by a blue ribbon committee in charge of selecting a coaching candidate as a finalist for the 2025 class. The Hall announced Tuesday that Mike Holmgren is the lone finalist for consideration by the full selection committee.

After surviving a 41-32 shootout win over the Browns on Monday, the Broncos enter their bye week with an 8-5 record. More importantly, Denver is sitting firmly in the No. 7 spot in the AFC. If the season ended today, they would be going to the playoffs for the first time since the Peyton Manning era. Here’s a look at the current playoff picture entering NFL Week 14, as well as scenarios for Denver to clinch a postseason berth: NFC playoff picture Detroit Lions (11-1) Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) Seattle Seahawks (7-5) Atlanta Falcons (6-6) Minnesota Vikings (10-2) Green Bay Packers (9-3) Washington Commanders (8-5) In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6), Arizona Cardinals (6-6), Los Angeles Rams (6-6), San Francisco 49ers (5-7), Dallas Cowboys (5-7), New Orleans Saints (4-8), Carolina Panthers (3-9). Not mathematically eliminated yet: Chicago Bears (4-8). Done for the year: New York Giants (2-10). AFC playoff picture Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) — clinched playoff berth Buffalo Bills (10-2) — clinched playoff berth Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) Houston Texans (8-5) Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) Baltimore Ravens (8-5) Denver Broncos (8-5) In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (6-7), Miami Dolphins (5-7), Cincinnati Bengals (4-8). Not mathematically eliminated: Cleveland Browns (3-9), New York Jets (3-9), Tennessee Titans (3-9). Done for the year: New England Patriots (3-10), Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10), Las Vegas Raiders (2-10). How the Broncos can clinch a playoff spot Win the division The Broncos are sitting in the No.

The timing of a call from Pádraig Smith was a bit odd, but the duty of offseason housekeeping put Colorado Rapids coach Chris Armas on a plane from New York anyway. Once in Colorado, he was asked to do a photo shoot on the field at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. No problem. When nearly all of his immediate family — who also flew out from New York — walked onto the field behind him, he knew something was up.