Two-word mantras guided Alex Singleton during his NFL career: Be tough. Never quit. Perfect attendance.
Entering his sixth season, the inside linebacker had not missed a practice. Then, on the eighth snap against Tampa Bay on Sept. 22, he tore the ACL in his left knee. He finished the game — play hurt fits in with the motto — and gave no indication of his injury in the victorious locker room.
An MRI ended his season. At the Super Bowl representing the Broncos as their Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, Singleton provided a blunt assessment of life as a spectator.