Broncos’ Justin Strnad shines after Hurricane Helene hits family, friends

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Justin Strnad had a day to remember.

After his first career sack came on his first defensive snap since 2021, though, the Broncos inside linebacker’s mind was anywhere but on his own achievements.

Strnad grew up near Tampa, Fla. and has family and friends all over the area impacted in recent days by Hurricane Helene.

He had dozens of those folks at Raymond James Stadium a week ago — maybe close to 100, he estimated after the game — and then watched helplessly from The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia as the hurricane made landfall and impacted his home area heavily.

“My house took some damage,” said Strnad, whose family lives in Dunedin. “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.

“I can’t thank my family enough. My family was over at my house the day after cleaning up, taking everything out of the garage, doing everything. Their support and everything they’ve done for me, I can’t thank them enough.”

On the field, the fourth-year linebacker authored the best game of his career in Denver’s 10-9 win against the New York Jets. After two-plus seasons of playing exclusively on special teams, Strnad had a blitz called for him by defensive coordinator Vance Joseph on the first snap of the game.