ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Former Denver Broncos center Tom Nalen made up for all those “no comments” during his 15-year career during an extraordinary half hour Thursday that at times showed precisely why he was wise to stay silent rather than speak his mind.
While meeting with the media to talk about his election into the team’s Ring of Fame, Nalen insisted he wasn’t a dirty player but admitted he tried to injure San Diego Chargers defensive lineman Igor Olshansky in a game in 2006.
Nalen dived at Olshansky’s knees while his quarterback was spiking the ball. Olshansky threw punches at Nalen and was ejected.
Nalen insisted it wasn’t a cheap shot but payback for what had happened on the previous play. At the time, his teammates said Olshansky had grabbed Nalen’s facemask.
