thedenverpost--2020-08-09--“Not what I signed up for”: COVID-19 has Colorado teachers considering quitting

Boulder social studies teacher Peter Kingsley always thought he would leave education when he was ready .
It would be the day Kingsley , a teacher and coach at Southern Hills Middle School , showed up to work and couldn ’ t laugh alongside his students anymore .
After 25 years of teaching in the Boulder Valley School District , that day still had yet to come .
But this summer , Kingsley decided to retire early rather than return to school under new conditions caused by the coronavirus .
Kingsley is one of many teachers who feel like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between their life and their livelihood .
While it ’ s too soon to say if a significant number of educators will leave the field , they are certainly considering it .
In a mid-July survey conducted by the Denver Classroom Teachers Association , more than 75 % of respondents said they were reluctant to return to an in-person learning environment and 8 % said they ’ d resign if that ’ s how the school year started .
It wasn ’ t an easy decision for Kingsley to leave .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that makes him predisposed to strokes , so he ’ s at an increased risk of severe illness should he catch COVID-19 .
The social studies and physical education teacher is also admittedly not great with computers and prefers to teach in front of a classroom .
Virtual formats didn ’ t feel like a fit last spring .
Kingsley may have even put those considerations aside this fall had his father not passed away in July after a battle with cancer .
After spending 22 days with him in hospice discussing life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d rather cross a few more things off his bucket list than potentially put himself in harm ’ s way .
“ I never in my wildest dreams envisioned that I would make a phone call a month before school and say I ’ m retiring .
That ’ s not the type of person that I am , but my hand is really forced at this time , ” said Kingsley .
The Colorado educators interviewed for this story do not want to leave teaching , primarily because they ’ re passionate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their entire careers in the profession and feel stuck because their skills don ’ t translate well to many other industries .
The current job market also isn ’ t exactly ripe with opportunities , they said .
But the risks associated with interacting with dozens of students indoors each day and a lack of cohesive guidance about the coming semester has only compounded broader issues within the education system .
Each day the calendar flips closer to the start of the school year , the decision about whether to stay or go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not so much that there ’ s been one event or one trigger that has made me reconsider teaching as a career , ” said Cameron Hays , a Denver social studies teacher .
Hays plans to teach during the 2020-2021 school year , but his long-term ambitions of moving into school administration and education policy are now uncertain .
“ It ’ s just the holistic element of the demonization of teachers , the uncertainty of what ( school ) will look like , not having a coherent plan , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay home and watch their kids , ” he said .
“ It all just adds up , and it ’ s not a high-paid career already .
I don ’ t know how much this is worth.
” Trends in the number of educators entering and staying in the field were troubling before the pandemic , said Kathy Schultz , dean of the School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder .
Universities nationwide are not only seeing a decline in the number of students pursuing teacher preparation programs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t stay as long as they used to , Schultz said .
“ Teachers , rather than seeing teaching as a 20-year career , are seeing it as a 2- or 3-year career and moving on to something else , ” Schultz said .
Salaries provide little incentive to stick around .
In 2019 , public school teachers in Colorado made $ 57,746 on average , according to the Department of Education , up about 17 % from $ 49,181 in 2009 .
Because of the high cost of living , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers spend more than half of their salary on rent .
“ When people talk about the teacher shortage often they just focus on how many teachers are entering teaching .
But it ’ s equally problematic that teachers are leaving early , ” said Schultz .
“ With COVID and with what teachers perceive as worsening conditions for their teaching , I think it ’ s a fairly worrisome trend that districts and schools and really the whole country needs to take very seriously.
” Part of the reason teachers aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is because of how the job has changed , according to Schultz .
Teaching has become increasingly regulated , offering fewer opportunities for educators to be creative with a curriculum and thereby making them less intellectually excited about it , she said .
Teachers are also under more pressure than ever to adopt roles beyond simply educating .
They act as caretakers , making sure kids have access to food and mental health services .
They serve as counselor when students need help beyond academics .
They prepare for the possibility that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gun .
And now with COVID-19 , they ’ ll be expected to enforce mask policies , sanitize classrooms and tailor their lessons for virtual platforms and in-person classes , depending on how their school plans to welcome students back in the fall .
“ I don ’ t feel like society recognizes what teachers do , how we do it , ” said Hays .
“ It ’ s never been a career where there ’ s a lot of respect all around .
A lot of people feel like they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what teaching is all about.
” Schultz said the expectations are unfair , especially as school budgets are continually shrinking .
“ Cities and states have less and less money to support teachers , and so there are fewer supports for teachers and students in schools , ” she said .
“ You talk to teachers , they feel like they ’ re being thrown into an unsafe situation and there isn ’ t regard for their safety and health.
” Michele Morales , a fifth-grade teacher at Joe Shoemaker School in Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new protocols outlined for an in-person return go far enough to keep teachers and students safe .
She was relieved when Denver Public Schools announced it would extend remote learning through at least mid-October but remains cautious about what might happen thereafter .
As a single parent of two , Morales understands the allure of sending kids back to school .
However , parents don ’ t understand that many of the beneficial aspects are going to be hindered by procedural changes due to COVID-19 , she said .
Should DPS decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels comfortable , she said , resigning isn ’ t off the table .
“ I ’ m my children ’ s only parent .
That is the most important role in my life , ” Morales said .
“ I love my job and I ’ m really good at my job , but it ’ s not worth my actual life .
… I will not be part of a system that says even one child or one adult illness or death is OK. ” With just weeks until the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a substitute teacher in Gunnison Watershed School District , said there are too many unanswered questions for her to return this semester .
Gunnison County Public Health ’ s Coronameter indicates conditions there are safe for a 100 % return to brick-and mortar-schooling .
If a staff member has a presumed positive or confirmed case of COVID , the district ’ s plan says that person can not return to school until at least 10 days after first showing symptoms , at least three days without a fever and marked improvements in symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , are not addressed in the plan , and administrators haven ’ t communicated them to Derry .
“ As substitutes , you don ’ t get paid very much .
You don ’ t have any health insurance , ” said Derry , adding she makes about $ 100 a day before taxes .
“ So my question is , are they going to provide health insurance ?
What is the plan for substitutes and is there any financial incentive ?
” Now that her 87-year-old father-in-law is planning to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teaching this fall so she doesn ’ t accidentally put him at risk of contracting the virus .
She feels lucky to have that choice when others don ’ t .
Adam Francis , a science teacher at Frederick High School , welcomed the news this week that St. Vrain Valley School District will do remote learning only at least through the end of September .
Long term , though , he feels “ handcuffed ” weighing the choice between his personal safety and losing his income .
The prospect of changing careers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know what I would do , ” the 46-year-old said .
“ In any career , if you decide in your mid-40s you ’ d like to do something different , you ’ re losing years of experience , you ’ re a less attractive candidate .
It ’ s a skill set that doesn ’ t necessarily easily translate to other professions.
” Theresa McGuire , an art teacher at Lake Middle School in Denver , agreed .
After 20 years teaching , McGuire doesn ’ t know what kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only knows this year could potentially be her last .
“ Risking my life and possibly bringing this home to my family and seeing them sick and suffer is not what I signed up for , ” she said .

Boulder social studies teacher Peter Kingsley always thought he would leave education when he was ready.
It would be the day Kingsley, a teacher and coach at Southern Hills Middle School, showed up to work and couldn’t laugh alongside his students anymore.
After 25 years of teaching in the Boulder Valley School District, that day still had yet to come. But this summer, Kingsley decided to retire early rather than return to school under new conditions caused by the coronavirus.
Kingsley is one of many teachers who feel like the ongoing pandemic is forcing them to choose between their life and their livelihood. While it’s too soon to say if a significant number of educators will leave the field, they are certainly considering it.
In a mid-July survey conducted by the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, more than 75% of respondents said they were reluctant to return to an in-person learning environment and 8% said they’d resign if that’s how the school year started.
It wasn’t an easy decision for Kingsley to leave. But the 54-year-old has epilepsy and a brain condition that makes him predisposed to strokes, so he’s at an increased risk of severe illness should he catch COVID-19. The social studies and physical education teacher is also admittedly not great with computers and prefers to teach in front of a classroom. Virtual formats didn’t feel like a fit last spring.
Kingsley may have even put those considerations aside this fall had his father not passed away in July after a battle with cancer. After spending 22 days with him in hospice discussing life and death, Kingsley realized he’d rather cross a few more things off his bucket list than potentially put himself in harm’s way.
“I never in my wildest dreams envisioned that I would make a phone call a month before school and say I’m retiring. That’s not the type of person that I am, but my hand is really forced at this time,” said Kingsley.
The Colorado educators interviewed for this story do not want to leave teaching, primarily because they’re passionate about the work. Some have invested their entire careers in the profession and feel stuck because their skills don’t translate well to many other industries. The current job market also isn’t exactly ripe with opportunities, they said.
But the risks associated with interacting with dozens of students indoors each day and a lack of cohesive guidance about the coming semester has only compounded broader issues within the education system. Each day the calendar flips closer to the start of the school year, the decision about whether to stay or go becomes more agonizing.
“It’s not so much that there’s been one event or one trigger that has made me reconsider teaching as a career,” said Cameron Hays, a Denver social studies teacher. Hays plans to teach during the 2020-2021 school year, but his long-term ambitions of moving into school administration and education policy are now uncertain.
“It’s just the holistic element of the demonization of teachers, the uncertainty of what (school) will look like, not having a coherent plan, the government not really supporting parents who need to stay home and watch their kids,” he said. “It all just adds up, and it’s not a high-paid career already. I don’t know how much this is worth.”
Teaching was tough pre-pandemic
Trends in the number of educators entering and staying in the field were troubling before the pandemic, said Kathy Schultz, dean of the School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder. Universities nationwide are not only seeing a decline in the number of students pursuing teacher preparation programs, but many who do end up teaching don’t stay as long as they used to, Schultz said.
“Teachers, rather than seeing teaching as a 20-year career, are seeing it as a 2- or 3-year career and moving on to something else,” Schultz said.
Salaries provide little incentive to stick around. In 2019, public school teachers in Colorado made $57,746 on average, according to the Department of Education, up about 17% from $49,181 in 2009. Because of the high cost of living, a 2019 Zillow study estimated mid-career Denver teachers spend more than half of their salary on rent.
“When people talk about the teacher shortage often they just focus on how many teachers are entering teaching. But it’s equally problematic that teachers are leaving early,” said Schultz. “With COVID and with what teachers perceive as worsening conditions for their teaching, I think it’s a fairly worrisome trend that districts and schools and really the whole country needs to take very seriously.”
Part of the reason teachers aren’t sticking with the profession long term is because of how the job has changed, according to Schultz. Teaching has become increasingly regulated, offering fewer opportunities for educators to be creative with a curriculum and thereby making them less intellectually excited about it, she said.
Teachers are also under more pressure than ever to adopt roles beyond simply educating. They act as caretakers, making sure kids have access to food and mental health services. They serve as counselor when students need help beyond academics. They prepare for the possibility that their school will be infiltrated by someone with a gun. And now with COVID-19, they’ll be expected to enforce mask policies, sanitize classrooms and tailor their lessons for virtual platforms and in-person classes, depending on how their school plans to welcome students back in the fall.
“I don’t feel like society recognizes what teachers do, how we do it,” said Hays. “It’s never been a career where there’s a lot of respect all around. A lot of people feel like they went to school, so they know what teaching is all about.”
Schultz said the expectations are unfair, especially as school budgets are continually shrinking.
“Cities and states have less and less money to support teachers, and so there are fewer supports for teachers and students in schools,” she said. “You talk to teachers, they feel like they’re being thrown into an unsafe situation and there isn’t regard for their safety and health.”
Not worth the risks
Michele Morales, a fifth-grade teacher at Joe Shoemaker School in Denver, doesn’t think many of the new protocols outlined for an in-person return go far enough to keep teachers and students safe. She was relieved when Denver Public Schools announced it would extend remote learning through at least mid-October but remains cautious about what might happen thereafter.
As a single parent of two, Morales understands the allure of sending kids back to school. However, parents don’t understand that many of the beneficial aspects are going to be hindered by procedural changes due to COVID-19, she said.
Should DPS decide to return to in-person learning before Morales feels comfortable, she said, resigning isn’t off the table.
“I’m my children’s only parent. That is the most important role in my life,” Morales said. “I love my job and I’m really good at my job, but it’s not worth my actual life. … I will not be part of a system that says even one child or one adult illness or death is OK.”
With just weeks until the start of the year, Kathy Derry, a substitute teacher in Gunnison Watershed School District, said there are too many unanswered questions for her to return this semester.
Gunnison County Public Health’s Coronameter indicates conditions there are safe for a 100% return to brick-and mortar-schooling. If a staff member has a presumed positive or confirmed case of COVID, the district’s plan says that person cannot return to school until at least 10 days after first showing symptoms, at least three days without a fever and marked improvements in symptoms.
Details and duties for substitutes, however, are not addressed in the plan, and administrators haven’t communicated them to Derry.
“As substitutes, you don’t get paid very much. You don’t have any health insurance,” said Derry, adding she makes about $100 a day before taxes. “So my question is, are they going to provide health insurance? What is the plan for substitutes and is there any financial incentive?”
Now that her 87-year-old father-in-law is planning to move into her home, Derry is foregoing teaching this fall so she doesn’t accidentally put him at risk of contracting the virus. She feels lucky to have that choice when others don’t.
Adam Francis, a science teacher at Frederick High School, welcomed the news this week that St. Vrain Valley School District will do remote learning only at least through the end of September. Long term, though, he feels “handcuffed” weighing the choice between his personal safety and losing his income.
The prospect of changing careers is daunting.
“I don’t know what I would do,” the 46-year-old said. “In any career, if you decide in your mid-40s you’d like to do something different, you’re losing years of experience, you’re a less attractive candidate. It’s a skill set that doesn’t necessarily easily translate to other professions.”
Theresa McGuire, an art teacher at Lake Middle School in Denver, agreed. After 20 years teaching, McGuire doesn’t know what kind of career move she would make. She only knows this year could potentially be her last.
“Risking my life and possibly bringing this home to my family and seeing them sick and suffer is not what I signed up for,” she said.


thedenverpost--2020-08-09--Post Premium: Our top stories for Aug. 3-9, 2020

For generations , Black people have said they are more likely to be tackled , punched , shocked or shot than white people .
Since police protests erupted in Colorado in late May , their complaints have gotten louder and received , rightly , renewed attention .
Today , we look at the data for Aurora and Denver , and , yes , Black people in both cities disproportionately suffer from police force .
Neither police department could explain why , and policing experts agree it ’ s difficult to analyze the data and measure police officers ’ racial bias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the numbers say to begin addressing the problem .
Reporter Elise Schmelzer starts the conversation with this story .
Thanks for subscribing .
“ When does a Black face get the same equality ?
” Aurora , Denver police use force against Black people at higher rates than other races Five of our best stories this week “ Not what I signed up for ” : COVID-19 has Colorado teachers considering quitting Boulder social studies teacher Peter Kingsley always thought he would leave education when he was ready .
But , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of many teachers who feel like the ongoing pandemic is forcing them to choose between their life and their livelihood .
RELATED : How Colorado schools plan to reopen this fall during the coronavirus pandemic KIDS AND COVID-19 : What experts do ( and do not ) know about how the virus affects children Why have models of Colorado ’ s coronavirus trajectory been off ?
Recent projections that Colorado could run out of hospital beds as early as September appear unlikely to come true , as new coronavirus infections slowed after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wingerter reports , experts point to at least three factors to explain why projections haven ’ t hit the mark .
COLORADO CORONAVIRUS TRACKER : How many new cases are being reported , and where are they ?
RELATED : What we know now about COVID-19 : Recovery is hard , masks help , children can be carriers and more Deaths from heart disease , overdoses increased in Colorado during pandemic , data show More Coloradans died from heart disease , overdoses and other medical conditions than would be expected during the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose by an estimated 22 % across the state , according to data analyzed by The Denver Post .
Jessica Seaman has the full story .
Despite recession , metro Denver home sales and prices set record in July Ignoring both the pandemic and a dismal economy , buyers in metro Denver closed on a record number of homes and condos in July , driving sales prices to record highs , according to the latest Market Trends Report from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors .
Reporter Aldo Svaldi delves into the various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Get real estate news sent to your inbox each week .
Sign up for the On The Block newsletter .
Denver airport ’ s terminal renovation is running low on cash , putting key upgrades at risk Denver International Airport ’ s marquee terminal renovation is headed for a severe budget crunch that threatens to leave core components of the project — including new upper-level security screening areas — unfinished or significantly curtailed , according to emails obtained exclusively by The Denver Post .
Reporter Jon Murray has the full story .
MORE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airport ’ s biggest conspiracy theories A few more important stories from the past week + One in three are struggling to eat in Colorado : “ It would be impossible without the food banks ” + I-70 expansion at two years : Mounting delays on Denver project push back big milestones + “ It was done wrong ” : Aurora police chief explains mistakes that led to officers handcuffing children + For first time in eight years , 100 % of Colorado is under drought or abnormally dry conditions + Denver police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults , two children in Green Valley Ranch home + Sewer pipes carrying dirty water will be a key part of National Western Center ’ s clean energy future + Speer neighborhood condo building is the latest front in Denver ’ s historic preservation tug of war + Litter , graffiti and vandalism are increasing at state parks , national forests across Colorado + How to create a bee-friendly garden in Denver to support Colorado ’ s more than 900 native species + Kiszla : How death of Kobe Bryant changed Broncos linebacker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ See more great photos like this on The Denver Post ’ s Instagram account .
+ READ MORE : Three houses on Tennyson Street were turned into immersive , colorful and temporary art

For generations, Black people have said they are more likely to be tackled, punched, shocked or shot than white people. Since police protests erupted in Colorado in late May, their complaints have gotten louder and received, rightly, renewed attention.
Today, we look at the data for Aurora and Denver, and, yes, Black people in both cities disproportionately suffer from police force. Neither police department could explain why, and policing experts agree it’s difficult to analyze the data and measure police officers’ racial bias. Still, we need to know what the numbers say to begin addressing the problem. Reporter Elise Schmelzer starts the conversation with this story. Thanks for subscribing.
— Noelle Phillips, breaking news editor
Five of our best stories this week
Boulder social studies teacher Peter Kingsley always thought he would leave education when he was ready. But, as Tiney Ricciardi reports, Kingsley is one of many teachers who feel like the ongoing pandemic is forcing them to choose between their life and their livelihood.
RELATED: How Colorado schools plan to reopen this fall during the coronavirus pandemic
KIDS AND COVID-19: What experts do (and do not) know about how the virus affects children
Recent projections that Colorado could run out of hospital beds as early as September appear unlikely to come true, as new coronavirus infections slowed after a rapid increase in mid-July. As Meg Wingerter reports, experts point to at least three factors to explain why projections haven’t hit the mark.
COLORADO CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: How many new cases are being reported, and where are they?
RELATED: What we know now about COVID-19: Recovery is hard, masks help, children can be carriers and more
More Coloradans died from heart disease, overdoses and other medical conditions than would be expected during the early months of the pandemic as total fatalities rose by an estimated 22% across the state, according to data analyzed by The Denver Post. Jessica Seaman has the full story.
Ignoring both the pandemic and a dismal economy, buyers in metro Denver closed on a record number of homes and condos in July, driving sales prices to record highs, according to the latest Market Trends Report from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors. Reporter Aldo Svaldi delves into the various market forces at work.
RELATED: Get real estate news sent to your inbox each week. Sign up for the On The Block newsletter.
Denver International Airport’s marquee terminal renovation is headed for a severe budget crunch that threatens to leave core components of the project — including new upper-level security screening areas — unfinished or significantly curtailed, according to emails obtained exclusively by The Denver Post. Reporter Jon Murray has the full story.
MORE: The definitive guide to Denver International Airport’s biggest conspiracy theories
A few more important stories from the past week
+ One in three are struggling to eat in Colorado: “It would be impossible without the food banks”
+ I-70 expansion at two years: Mounting delays on Denver project push back big milestones
+ “It was done wrong”: Aurora police chief explains mistakes that led to officers handcuffing children
+ For first time in eight years, 100% of Colorado is under drought or abnormally dry conditions
+ Denver police suspect arson in fire that killed three adults, two children in Green Valley Ranch home
+ Sewer pipes carrying dirty water will be a key part of National Western Center’s clean energy future
+ Speer neighborhood condo building is the latest front in Denver’s historic preservation tug of war
+ Denver comic Sam Tallent’s debut novel, “Running the Light,” confronts stand-up industry’s demons
+ Litter, graffiti and vandalism are increasing at state parks, national forests across Colorado
+ How to create a bee-friendly garden in Denver to support Colorado’s more than 900 native species
+ Kiszla: How death of Kobe Bryant changed Broncos linebacker Von Miller as football player and man
Photo of the week
See more great photos like this on The Denver Post’s Instagram account.
+ READ MORE: Three houses on Tennyson Street were turned into immersive, colorful and temporary art


thedenverpost--2020-08-09--Father Knew Best: Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye’s work ethic, mindset established early in athletic

Father Knew Best: Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye’s work ethic, mindset established early in athletic career

A.J .
Bouye doesn ’ t remember how old he was — maybe 6 , possibly 7 — but does know he was playing football against kids who were bigger , meaner and faster .
And he definitely recalls getting leveled by a 13-year-old and dashing to the sidelines in tears .
Right at that moment , the Bouye Mindset became ingrained in little A.J .
by his father , Steve .
“ Stop all that crying and get back out there , ” Steve told A.J .
And with that , A.J .
returned to the field , motivated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was tough enough to face older kids .
He hasn ’ t stopped playing or using Steve ’ s guidance .
If it meant doing sit-ups and push-ups before he was in kindergarten , A.J .
did it .
If it meant running hills in a weight vest before he could hang out with high school friends , he did it .
And if it meant getting up at 4 a.m. to train at a U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta ( where Steve worked ) , he did it … all the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ top cornerback .
Steve was a supportive disciplinarian , pushing when it was required , encouraging when it was needed .
“ He used to work as a corrections officer and he was more fear-based as far as he didn ’ t want me to end up there , ” A.J .
said recently in a phone interview with The Denver Post .
“ He was very hard on me and very critical of me , but I never took it personally .
I knew it was for the right reasons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I still have to this day.
” Bouye ’ s off-the-charts want-to helped him start for two years at Central Florida , make the Houston Texans roster as an undrafted free agent and transform into a second-team All-Pro with the Jacksonville Jaguars .
It also showed the Broncos enough to trade for him this offseason to replace Chris Harris , who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason .
Last year , the Broncos had only one interception by a cornerback ( by Harris ) , another sign “ The No Fly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past .
Bouye , viewed as an ideal scheme fit for coach Vic Fangio ’ s zone coverage , leads a revamped starting secondary that includes only one player , safety Justin Simmons , who pre-dated Fangio ’ s hiring in January 2019 .
If the Broncos are to end a four-year playoff drought , they will need Bouye to be elite .
“ He ’ s fully invested to being a great player , ” said Oliver Davis , who trained Bouye this offseason in Georgia .
“ A.J .
doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should when you look at his career and what he had to overcome .
The way he approaches the game , the preparation he puts into the game , the sacrifices he makes — in my opinion , he ’ s a top-five corner in this league and he ’ ll get to show it to everybody this year.
” Shortly after Bouye was born in August 1991 , his mother , Jackie , was diagnosed with breast cancer , which later spread to her brain .
She died less than a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his elementary school years , Steve , a former linebacker at Sam Houston State in Texas , saw his son ’ s athletic potential early .
“ When he was really little — T-ball , ” Steve said .
“ He was naturally athletic .
I would watch how he ran .
I knew he had a chance because he was doing stuff that you haven ’ t ever seen from a kid that age.
” A.J .
played football , baseball and basketball as a kid and Steve said , “ His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got tired of it because there weren ’ t any dunks or touchdowns.
” Even before entering high school , Steve built up A.J.
’ s confidence by putting the ultimate goal — the NFL — on his radar .
“ I played quarterback , running back and safety and I was always one of the best players on the team , ” A.J .
said .
“ When my dad always let me know I would be good enough to play in the NFL , it was always a dream from an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieved through luck , though .
Sure , Bouye had natural talent , but he really emerged when he adopted his father ’ s training plan .
At age 8 , A.J .
accompanied his father to the gym when a babysitter wasn ’ t available .
“ So now fast forward ( to high school ) , ” A.J .
said .
When A.J .
started high school , so did the early-morning wake-up calls .
Before Steve began his shift at the prison , he and A.J .
used the gym @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It was a grimy environment , ” A.J .
said “ There weren ’ t many weights and the treadmill wasn ’ t working , but you had to make do with what you had .
It taught me to be tough and push through everything.
” Said Steve : “ One of the officers would train him , a short guy about 5-foot-6 who was like a drill instructor .
He used to make my son cry , but A.J .
kept coming back.
” Bouye played quarterback and defensive back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rated a two-star recruit cornerback by 247Sports.com in 2009 .
He signed with Central Florida before it was a Group of Five powerhouse and traveled to Orlando with Steve ’ s instructions cemented in his mind .
“ He knew I wasn ’ t going to expect anything less ( than full effort ) , ” Steve said .
“ I told him , ‘ If you do something , don ’ t half do it because if you do , you ’ re cheating yourself and you ’ re cheating the game.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ games for UCF , intercepted six passes and made 110 tackles .
But he wasn ’ t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and was not drafted .
When the draft was over , Steve , who was at work , called A.J.
, who needed an inspirational message .
“ He was very upset and didn ’ t know what to do , ” Steve said .
“ He wanted to give up on football .
The exact words I told him : ‘ Don ’ t worry about that , brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You will be an undrafted free agent .
And you will be the best defensive back on that team.
’ ” A.J .
signed with the Texans for a $ 5,000 signing bonus and a chance to compete for a spot on Gary Kubiak ’ s roster that included current Broncos safety Kareem Jackson , who was then a cornerback .
Bouye had an interception at Dallas in the Texans ’ preseason finale and made the team .
“ His rookie year , he was their best defensive back , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of waiting ) , ” Steve said .
“ He just continued to get better and better.
” A hamstring injury limited Bouye to six games in 2013 and he started eight games over the next two years .
His breakout season was 2016 — 13 regular season/playoff starts and three interceptions , including two in the playoffs .
Bouye signed a four-year , $ 67.5 million contract with Jacksonville in March 2017 , part of an offseason haul that included defensive end Calais Campbell and strong safety Barry Church .
Everything came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general and Bouye in particular .
He had a career-high six interceptions and the Jaguars were second in fewest points , yards allowed and interceptions , and first in fewest passing yards allowed .
“ When we got there , the message we heard was , ‘ They ’ re still the same , old Jaguars , ’ ” Bouye said .
“ But we got clicking .
Teams didn ’ t know what to expect from us , but we made plays , we won tough games and we stuck together no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10-point fourth-quarter lead in the AFC Championship Game at New England , but it appeared the foundation was set for continued success .
Instead , the Jaguars went 5-11 and 6-10 .
Bouye had a sense he would be traded or released this past offseason .
“ We didn ’ t finish strong and it was two years in a row ( of losing ) and also the business side , when you ’ re making a good amount of money , decisions have to be made to create cap space , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t take anything personally .
I just figured I would be traded.
” And Bouye was on the move — to the Broncos two weeks before free-agency opened .
“ He can do it all ” Anticipating a new address and wanting to return to top-level play after only two interceptions in 2018-19 , Bouye started working with Davis in mid-February at the recommendation of Jaguars teammate Tre Herndon .
“ I was already a fan of A.J ’ s because I ’ m a football junkie… especially the defensive back positions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work on finishing the bang-bang plays when the receiver may get the catch on you , but your hand is there and you get the ball out .
But he was polishing all phases of his game.
” Davis trained Bouye and other defensive backs at 8 a.m. every Monday , Wednesday and Friday .
For example , on Mondays , Bouye worked on press coverage , defending fades/back shoulder throws , and fighting through pick plays .
“ I would keep the workouts to maybe an hour , but they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Helping the Broncos back to the playoffs is Bouye ’ s current challenge .
He will need to stay healthy , play every down and occasionally travel with the opponent ’ s best receiver .
“ He ’ s very capable , ” Jackson said .
“ He can do it all .
He can ( play ) press .
He can play off .
He ’ s a good tackler .
I ’ m looking forward to seeing how much he has progressed.
” In establishing himself as a reliable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bowl and life-changing money .
One objective remains .
“ I want to win a Super Bowl , ” he said .
“ I know how hard it is to get there .
I know we were close in Jacksonville ( in 2017 ) and it was disturbing when we didn ’ t make it .
Proving people wrong as usual ( is the goal ) , but I want to get that ring to add to my legacy.
” About Bouye : Acquired by Broncos for 2020 fourth-round pick in trade that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Houston after going undrafted in 2013 .
… Started 19 games for Texans over four years ( six interceptions ) .
… Signed five-year , $ 67.5 million contract with Jaguars in March 2017 .
Made Pro Bowl and was second-team All Pro with six interceptions .
… Has played in six postseason games ( three apiece for Houston and Jacksonville ) .
… Regular season career totals of 93 games ( 62 starts ) , 305 tackles , 14 interceptions and 66 total pass break-ups .
… Cap number of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ( Von Miller $ 25.6 million , Kareem Jackson $ 13.9 million ) .

A.J. Bouye doesn’t remember how old he was — maybe 6, possibly 7 — but does know he was playing football against kids who were bigger, meaner and faster. And he definitely recalls getting leveled by a 13-year-old and dashing to the sidelines in tears.
Right at that moment, the Bouye Mindset became ingrained in little A.J. by his father, Steve.
“Stop all that crying and get back out there,” Steve told A.J.
And with that, A.J. returned to the field, motivated to keep playing and show his dad he was tough enough to face older kids. He hasn’t stopped playing or using Steve’s guidance.
If it meant doing sit-ups and push-ups before he was in kindergarten, A.J. did it. If it meant running hills in a weight vest before he could hang out with high school friends, he did it. And if it meant getting up at 4 a.m. to train at a U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta (where Steve worked), he did it … all the way to his current job as the Broncos’ top cornerback.
Steve was a supportive disciplinarian, pushing when it was required, encouraging when it was needed.
“He used to work as a corrections officer and he was more fear-based as far as he didn’t want me to end up there,” A.J. said recently in a phone interview with The Denver Post. “He was very hard on me and very critical of me, but I never took it personally. I knew it was for the right reasons and he gave me the great work ethic I still have to this day.”
Bouye’s off-the-charts want-to helped him start for two years at Central Florida, make the Houston Texans roster as an undrafted free agent and transform into a second-team All-Pro with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It also showed the Broncos enough to trade for him this offseason to replace Chris Harris, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason.
Last year, the Broncos had only one interception by a cornerback (by Harris), another sign “The No Fly Zone” was a thing of the past. Bouye, viewed as an ideal scheme fit for coach Vic Fangio’s zone coverage, leads a revamped starting secondary that includes only one player, safety Justin Simmons, who pre-dated Fangio’s hiring in January 2019.
If the Broncos are to end a four-year playoff drought, they will need Bouye to be elite.
“He’s fully invested to being a great player,” said Oliver Davis, who trained Bouye this offseason in Georgia. “A.J. doesn’t get the respect I feel he should when you look at his career and what he had to overcome. The way he approaches the game, the preparation he puts into the game, the sacrifices he makes — in my opinion, he’s a top-five corner in this league and he’ll get to show it to everybody this year.”
Naturally athletic kid
Shortly after Bouye was born in August 1991, his mother, Jackie, was diagnosed with breast cancer, which later spread to her brain. She died less than a year later. Raising A.J. alone during his elementary school years, Steve, a former linebacker at Sam Houston State in Texas, saw his son’s athletic potential early.
“When he was really little — T-ball,” Steve said. “He was naturally athletic. I would watch how he ran. I knew he had a chance because he was doing stuff that you haven’t ever seen from a kid that age.”
A.J. played football, baseball and basketball as a kid and Steve said, “His favorite sport was baseball, but he got tired of it because there weren’t any dunks or touchdowns.”
Even before entering high school, Steve built up A.J.’s confidence by putting the ultimate goal — the NFL — on his radar.
“I played quarterback, running back and safety and I was always one of the best players on the team,” A.J. said. “When my dad always let me know I would be good enough to play in the NFL, it was always a dream from an early age.”
Dreams aren’t achieved through luck, though. Sure, Bouye had natural talent, but he really emerged when he adopted his father’s training plan. At age 8, A.J. accompanied his father to the gym when a babysitter wasn’t available.
“So now fast forward (to high school),” A.J. said.
When A.J. started high school, so did the early-morning wake-up calls. Before Steve began his shift at the prison, he and A.J. used the gym frequented by the other corrections officers.
“It was a grimy environment,” A.J. said “There weren’t many weights and the treadmill wasn’t working, but you had to make do with what you had. It taught me to be tough and push through everything.”
Said Steve: “One of the officers would train him, a short guy about 5-foot-6 who was like a drill instructor. He used to make my son cry, but A.J. kept coming back.”
Bouye played quarterback and defensive back in high school, but was only rated a two-star recruit cornerback by 247Sports.com in 2009. He signed with Central Florida before it was a Group of Five powerhouse and traveled to Orlando with Steve’s instructions cemented in his mind.
“He knew I wasn’t going to expect anything less (than full effort),” Steve said. “I told him, ‘If you do something, don’t half do it because if you do, you’re cheating yourself and you’re cheating the game.’”
From undrafted to All-Pro
Bouye started 21 of 43 games for UCF, intercepted six passes and made 110 tackles. But he wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and was not drafted. When the draft was over, Steve, who was at work, called A.J., who needed an inspirational message.
“He was very upset and didn’t know what to do,” Steve said. “He wanted to give up on football. The exact words I told him: ‘Don’t worry about that, brother. You will go into a camp. You will be an undrafted free agent. And you will be the best defensive back on that team.’”
A.J. signed with the Texans for a $5,000 signing bonus and a chance to compete for a spot on Gary Kubiak’s roster that included current Broncos safety Kareem Jackson, who was then a cornerback. Bouye had an interception at Dallas in the Texans’ preseason finale and made the team.
“His rookie year, he was their best defensive back, but he had to go through the politics (of waiting),” Steve said. “He just continued to get better and better.”
A hamstring injury limited Bouye to six games in 2013 and he started eight games over the next two years. His breakout season was 2016 — 13 regular season/playoff starts and three interceptions, including two in the playoffs.
Bouye signed a four-year, $67.5 million contract with Jacksonville in March 2017, part of an offseason haul that included defensive end Calais Campbell and strong safety Barry Church. Everything came together for the Jaguars’ defense in general and Bouye in particular. He had a career-high six interceptions and the Jaguars were second in fewest points, yards allowed and interceptions, and first in fewest passing yards allowed.
“When we got there, the message we heard was, ‘They’re still the same, old Jaguars,’” Bouye said. “But we got clicking. Teams didn’t know what to expect from us, but we made plays, we won tough games and we stuck together no matter what.”
The Jaguars squandered a 10-point fourth-quarter lead in the AFC Championship Game at New England, but it appeared the foundation was set for continued success. Instead, the Jaguars went 5-11 and 6-10. Bouye had a sense he would be traded or released this past offseason.
“We didn’t finish strong and it was two years in a row (of losing) and also the business side, when you’re making a good amount of money, decisions have to be made to create cap space,” Bouye said. “I didn’t take anything personally. I just figured I would be traded.”
And Bouye was on the move — to the Broncos two weeks before free-agency opened.
“He can do it all”
Anticipating a new address and wanting to return to top-level play after only two interceptions in 2018-19, Bouye started working with Davis in mid-February at the recommendation of Jaguars teammate Tre Herndon.
“I was already a fan of A.J’s because I’m a football junkie… especially the defensive back positions,” Davis said. “He wanted to work on finishing the bang-bang plays when the receiver may get the catch on you, but your hand is there and you get the ball out. But he was polishing all phases of his game.”
Davis trained Bouye and other defensive backs at 8 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. For example, on Mondays, Bouye worked on press coverage, defending fades/back shoulder throws, and fighting through pick plays.
“I would keep the workouts to maybe an hour, but they were always intense and challenging,” Davis said.
Helping the Broncos back to the playoffs is Bouye’s current challenge. He will need to stay healthy, play every down and occasionally travel with the opponent’s best receiver.
“He’s very capable,” Jackson said. “He can do it all. He can (play) press. He can play off. He’s a good tackler. I’m looking forward to seeing how much he has progressed.”
In establishing himself as a reliable cornerback, Bouye has made a Pro Bowl and life-changing money. One objective remains.
“I want to win a Super Bowl,” he said. “I know how hard it is to get there. I know we were close in Jacksonville (in 2017) and it was disturbing when we didn’t make it. Proving people wrong as usual (is the goal), but I want to get that ring to add to my legacy.”
A.J. Bouye File
Age: Turns 29 on Aug. 16.
Position: Cornerback.
Experience: Eighth year.
Height/weight: 6-0/191.
College: Central Florida.
Previous NFL teams: Houston (2013-16) and Jacksonville (2017-19).
About Bouye: Acquired by Broncos for 2020 fourth-round pick in trade that became official March 18. … Signed with Houston after going undrafted in 2013. … Started 19 games for Texans over four years (six interceptions). … Signed five-year, $67.5 million contract with Jaguars in March 2017. Made Pro Bowl and was second-team All Pro with six interceptions. … Has played in six postseason games (three apiece for Houston and Jacksonville). … Regular season career totals of 93 games (62 starts), 305 tackles, 14 interceptions and 66 total pass break-ups. … Cap number of $13.4 million is third-highest on Broncos this year (Von Miller $25.6 million, Kareem Jackson $13.9 million).


thedenverpost--2020-08-09--Broncos Insider: Denver’s only consistency at right tackle over the last half-decade has been incons

Broncos Insider: Denver’s only consistency at right tackle over the last half-decade has been inconsistency

For the Broncos , the only consistency at right tackle over the past four years has been inconsistency .
Following Ja ’ Wuan James ’ decision to opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns about the coronavirus , Elijah Wilkinson is the leading candidate to be Denver ’ s starter at the position .
Since the start of 2016 , the Broncos have used 10 different right tackles , and if Wilkinson starts in Week 1 against Tennessee , he will be the fifth different opening-game starting right tackle in as many years .
A look back at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Stephenson ( 13 starts ) and Ty Sambrailo ( three ) .
Stephenson was signed to a three-year , $ 14 million contract .
2017 : Menelik Watson ( seven starts ) , Stephenson ( four ) , Allen Barbre ( four ) and Cyrus Kouandjio ( one ) .
Watson signed a three-year deal in March 2017 and started the first seven games before sustaining a calf injury .
Stephenson started four of the final five games .
2018 : Jared Veldheer ( 12 starts ) and Billy Turner ( four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and played well when available ; he missed time with a knee injury .
Turner filled in at right tackle and then left guard .
He signed with the Green Bay Packers in March 2019 to start at guard .
The Broncos declined to re-sign Veldheer , who was with New England and Green Bay last year .
2019 : Wilkinson ( 12 starts ) , James ( three ) and Jake Rodgers ( one ) .
James signed a four-year , $ 51 million contract with the expectation he would stop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t make it through the first half of the first game , though .
James injured his MCL in Week 1 at Oakland , his meniscus in Week 8 at Indianapolis and was shut down for good after playing one half at Houston in Week 14 .
Wilkinson started 12 games .
When he missed the finale with an ankle injury , Rodgers got the start .
2020 : Wilkinson ( projected ) .
Before one practice was held , Wilkinson was moved from a backup left tackle spot to take over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver Post ’ s sports coverage , we have a new subscription offer for you !
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Acquired from Jacksonville in March , Bouye will be tasked with replacing long-time cornerback Chris Harris .
Read more… Von Miller gave “ serious consideration ” to opting out , but is confident in Broncos ’ protocols Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller said Tuesday he gave “ serious consideration ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus concerns , but decided to play because of the team ’ s safety protocols .
Read more… Kiszla vs. O ’ Halloran : Will Broncos fans be able to attend Denver home games in 2020 ?
In a year when the coronavirus has rewritten the rules for how we lead our lives , what are the chances we ’ ll see Broncos fans in Empower Field at Mile High for the Sept. 14 game against Tennessee … or anytime this season , for that matter ?
Read more… + Broncos Mailbag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role … or even a spot on the roster ?
+ Keeler : Garett Bolles might be luckiest man on planet .
He just became Broncos ’ most indispensable player .
+ Justin Simmons not disappointed by lack of long-term deal , ready to “ focus on winning football games ” + Broncos podcast : Analyzing Von Miller ’ s rap session , Ja ’ Wuan James ’ opt out and Denver ’ s depth at the tackles + Broncos coach Vic Fangio says moving back to right tackle “ good thing ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Camp began July 28 , but for Broncos coach Vic Fangio , it really starts Friday + Will Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb be ready for opener ?
“ No doubt ” + Former Broncos quarterback becomes part-owner of a winery + Want to chat about the Broncos ?
Ask to join our closed discussion group on Facebook .
If you see something that ’ s cause for question or have a comment , thought or suggestion , email me at dboniface @ denverpost.com or tweet me @ danielboniface .

For the Broncos, the only consistency at right tackle over the past four years has been inconsistency.
Following Ja’Wuan James’ decision to opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns about the coronavirus, Elijah Wilkinson is the leading candidate to be Denver’s starter at the position. Since the start of 2016, the Broncos have used 10 different right tackles, and if Wilkinson starts in Week 1 against Tennessee, he will be the fifth different opening-game starting right tackle in as many years.
A look back at the last four years:
2016: Donald Stephenson (13 starts) and Ty Sambrailo (three). Stephenson was signed to a three-year, $14 million contract.
2017: Menelik Watson (seven starts), Stephenson (four), Allen Barbre (four) and Cyrus Kouandjio (one). Watson signed a three-year deal in March 2017 and started the first seven games before sustaining a calf injury. Stephenson started four of the final five games.
2018: Jared Veldheer (12 starts) and Billy Turner (four). Veldheer was signed from Arizona and played well when available; he missed time with a knee injury. Turner filled in at right tackle and then left guard. He signed with the Green Bay Packers in March 2019 to start at guard. The Broncos declined to re-sign Veldheer, who was with New England and Green Bay last year.
2019: Wilkinson (12 starts), James (three) and Jake Rodgers (one). James signed a four-year, $51 million contract with the expectation he would stop the game of musical chairs. He didn’t make it through the first half of the first game, though. James injured his MCL in Week 1 at Oakland, his meniscus in Week 8 at Indianapolis and was shut down for good after playing one half at Houston in Week 14. Wilkinson started 12 games. When he missed the finale with an ankle injury, Rodgers got the start.
2020: Wilkinson (projected). Before one practice was held, Wilkinson was moved from a backup left tackle spot to take over for James.
— Kyle Newman, The Denver Post
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Must-Read
Acquired from Jacksonville in March, Bouye will be tasked with replacing long-time cornerback Chris Harris. Read more…
Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller said Tuesday he gave “serious consideration” to opting out of this season because of coronavirus concerns, but decided to play because of the team’s safety protocols. Read more…
In a year when the coronavirus has rewritten the rules for how we lead our lives, what are the chances we’ll see Broncos fans in Empower Field at Mile High for the Sept. 14 game against Tennessee … or anytime this season, for that matter? Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Broncos Mailbag: Does receiver DaeSean Hamilton have a role … or even a spot on the roster?
+ Keeler: Garett Bolles might be luckiest man on planet. He just became Broncos’ most indispensable player.
+ Trial over late Broncos owner Pat Bowlen’s trust pushed back to 2021
+ Justin Simmons not disappointed by lack of long-term deal, ready to “focus on winning football games”
+ Broncos podcast: Analyzing Von Miller’s rap session, Ja’Wuan James’ opt out and Denver’s depth at the tackles
+ Broncos coach Vic Fangio says moving back to right tackle “good thing” for Elijah Wilkinson
+ NFL Journal: Camp began July 28, but for Broncos coach Vic Fangio, it really starts Friday
+ Will Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb be ready for opener? “No doubt”
+ Former Broncos quarterback becomes part-owner of a winery
+ Want to chat about the Broncos? Ask to join our closed discussion group on Facebook.
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.


thedenverpost--2020-08-09--“When does a Black face get the same equality?” Aurora, Denver police use force against Black people

“When does a Black face get the same equality?” Aurora, Denver police use force against Black people at higher rates than other races

Naphtali Israel filled with disgust as he watched the video of Aurora police holding four sobbing girls at gunpoint .
He knows what kind of trauma the children will have to overcome .
His stepdaughters were held at gunpoint by Denver police just a few months earlier after a false report that a Black man had a gun in a Safeway parking lot .
His 14-year-old stepdaughter has flashbacks from staring down the barrel of a gun .
His 8-year-old has nightmares .
“ When is it going to stop ?
” Israel asked .
“ When does a Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else in the community ?
We ’ re seeing the same situations over and over again.
” Amid protests of police brutality and a national reckoning of centuries of racism , data from the Aurora and Denver police departments give credence to what Black residents here have been saying for years : Police in two of Colorado ’ s largest cities disproportionately use force against them .
Nearly half of the people Aurora police officers struck , tackled , pepper sprayed , Tased or shot in 2019 were Black , though Black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s population , department data shows .
In Denver last year , Black people made up 27 % of the 1,191 people Denver police used force against , in a city where 10 % of the population is Black .
No other racial demographic , in either city , had such a wide gap , and such racial disparities are shown in the cities ’ data going back at least four years .
Neither police department could easily explain the numbers .
Community leaders and experts point to the intersection of poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism to explain the numbers — overlapping , complex issues that make it difficult to analyze use of force data .
“ Plenty of studies have shown there is a presumption of criminality when police officers arrive on the scene and there are Black people there , ” said Delores Jones-Brown of the University of New Haven ’ s Department of Criminal Justice and founder of the Center on Race , Crime and Justice at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice .
“ With the presumption of criminality there is the presumption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And fear drives use of force.
” The statistics from Denver and Aurora are no surprise to Black community leaders .
“ There are national protests because of what happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis , ” said Omar Montgomery , president of the Aurora branch of the NAACP .
“ Why ?
Because what happened to him mirrors the experience of Black people nationwide.
” The Aurora police department recently committed to investigating the causes for the disparity after Councilwoman Angela Lawson raised concerns about the data during several council meetings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was presented at the public safety , courts , and civil service meeting that drew questions from the committee , ” Aurora police Chief Vanessa Wilson said in a statement after declining an interview with The Denver Post on the topic .
“ Since then , we have set out to try and analyze the data to get a better overall understanding of those numbers .
That analysis is not yet completed , so speaking to why those numbers reflect the way they do would be speculation .
It is something that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into and see if there are any areas that we can improve policy , procedures , or how we better interact with our community.
” But the data is not new .
The percentage of Black people whom Aurora officers use force against has hovered between 38 % and 53 % since 2014 — consistently disproportionate to the Black population of the city .
The department ’ s annual use of force reports from those years include that data , but only one report mentions the discrepancy , and that mention is very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ note that with the exception of African American/Black , the remaining racial groups were within sixteen percentage points of the city ’ s population , ” stated a report analyzing data from October 2015 through September 2016 .
The report offered no further analysis .
More detailed breakdown of the numbers reveal further disparities .
Last year , Aurora police on 86 occasions used Tasers against Black people while white people were shocked 37 times .
In Denver , Black people have represented between 26 % and 30 % of the population whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
Denver police Chief Paul Pazen said his officers most often are responding to calls for service and reported crimes , which dictates the people with whom they interact .
The officers don ’ t get to choose .
He wouldn ’ t answer questions specifically about the racial demographic data .
“ Our objective is to reduce use of force all the way around .
It ’ s not only good for our community but it ’ s good for our officers , ” Pazen said .
“ It is something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something that we want to improve upon on all areas and levels.
” Neither city ’ s 2019 use of force data includes the number of times officers pointed a gun at someone but did not fire .
In Aurora , displaying a weapon is considered a “ display of force ” and not a “ use of force ” and that data is collected separately , department spokeswoman Faith Goodrich said .
Denver did not collect that data until June .
All departments in Colorado must collect data on when officer draw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in June by the legislature .
There is no perfect way to analyze use of force data to figure out how much discrimination plays into when officers use force .
Experts for years have struggled to parse excessive force from reasonable force , crime rates from poverty and instability and arrest rates from over-policing .
“ There ’ s no easy answer , ” Jones-Brown said .
“ It ’ s always the case that those who are seen as politically less powerful are often the people police use more force against because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can get away with it.
” Police leaders for years have said their officers are not biased but are simply responding to crimes .
Those crimes tend to be disproportionally in poorer neighborhoods , which tend to be disproportionately Black .
“ By the sheer presence of the police , there ’ s going to be more opportunities for police to use force , ” Jones-Brown said .
Some people will point to the fact that Black people are arrested at higher rates than white people to explain the disproportionate use of force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with that comparison .
In Aurora , 7 % of all arrests of Black people involved force in 2019 and about 6 % of arrests of white people involved force .
But those figures don ’ t acknowledge policies and systemic inequalities that lead to higher arrest rates of Black people , Jones-Brown said .
A 2018 report by the bipartisan U.S. Commission on Civil Rights tackled the difficulty of drawing conclusions from use of force data .
The commission stated that there is no sound way to analyze the criminality of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether use of force is biased is imperfect , because it ’ s impossible to know how bias played into the arrest data , according to the commission .
“ The best available evidence reflects high rates of uses of force nationally , with increased likelihood of police use of force against people of color , people with disabilities , LGBT people , people with mental health concerns , people with low incomes , and those at the intersection of these communities , ” the report concluded .
Many of the high-profile incidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outcry in recent years had nothing to do with a crime that endangered other people .
They stemmed from minor or non-criminal incidents : a traffic stop , selling untaxed cigarettes , walking home while wearing a mask , alleged use of a counterfeit bill , being asleep in one ’ s own home .
In Aurora , about two-thirds of arrests where force was used were for misdemeanor or petty offenses .
“ The statistics from Aurora and Denver show what we all know is true — that people who are simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable to police brutality , ” said Mari Newman , a Denver civil rights attorney who has won settlements for several victims of excessive force in Denver and Aurora .
“ Elijah McClain ’ s case , for example , is a perfect example of the fact that it doesn ’ t matter how a person acts or what they say — police simply treat people differently because of their skin color.
” Decades of such treatment have caused lasting damage to community trust between police and Black communities in Aurora and Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebuild those relationships .
Terrance Roberts remembers standing outside some East Park Hill apartments as a child and watching a Denver police cruiser go by .
“ Every adult and every child in that shopping center flipping off the officers , ” Roberts , 44 , said .
“ And I remember the police flipping us off too.
” Not much has changed since then , said Roberts , an anti-violence activist who has helped organized several recent marches to demand justice for McClain .
The organization he helped found , Frontline Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a march on Aug. 30 across both cities to protest police violence and racism .
“ This is nothing new to us , ” Roberts said .
“ If you ’ re Black in Denver or Aurora , or even the metro area , it ’ s been a joke how racist Denver police are and , even worse , the Aurora Police Department.
” Part of the solution for rebuilding trust is ensuring that officers are disciplined when they violate policy , said Al Gardner , chair of Denver ’ s Citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combats any internal culture that suggests officers can get away with misconduct , but also increases public trust in their government .
“ I ’ m a Black man but I can ’ t attempt to speak for every Black person in this city , ” Gardner said .
“ The people I ’ m around , it ’ s not a complete despair , but it ’ s cautious .
It ’ s hope for change and hopes that what people say come to fruition this time.
” Of 1,314 documented uses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three officers were ordered to take corrective action or additional training , five were sent to counseling and six were sent to internal affairs .
The rest were found to be compliant with policy .
Distrust of police sometimes prompts more contentious encounters , which can lead to uses of force , Jones-Brown said .
People who have experienced mistreatment by police are more likely to question officers and push back against their commands , Jones-Brown said .
“ When people ask those questions and challenge the authority , police respond with force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
Tense relationships , decades of history and numerous examples of police mistreating Black people creates an added stress that distracts from other pursuits , Montgomery said .
“ Imagine this — you ’ re a parent and you ’ re sending your child to school , ” Montgomery said .
“ Your child just learned how to drive .
You ’ re worried about your child being stopped .
You ’ re worried about the school resource officer at school .
Shouldn ’ t you be worried about whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” That fear is already embedded in the minds of Israel ’ s stepdaughters .
His 8-year-old worries an interaction similar to what unfolded outside the Safeway will happen again .
“ When I leave the house she says , ‘ Be careful , Dad , ' ” he said .

Naphtali Israel filled with disgust as he watched the video of Aurora police holding four sobbing girls at gunpoint.
He knows what kind of trauma the children will have to overcome. His stepdaughters were held at gunpoint by Denver police just a few months earlier after a false report that a Black man had a gun in a Safeway parking lot.
His 14-year-old stepdaughter has flashbacks from staring down the barrel of a gun. His 8-year-old has nightmares.
“When is it going to stop?” Israel asked. “When does a Black face get the same equality of everyone else in the community? We’re seeing the same situations over and over again.”
Amid protests of police brutality and a national reckoning of centuries of racism, data from the Aurora and Denver police departments give credence to what Black residents here have been saying for years: Police in two of Colorado’s largest cities disproportionately use force against them.
Nearly half of the people Aurora police officers struck, tackled, pepper sprayed, Tased or shot in 2019 were Black, though Black people make up 16% of the city’s population, department data shows. In Denver last year, Black people made up 27% of the 1,191 people Denver police used force against, in a city where 10% of the population is Black.
No other racial demographic, in either city, had such a wide gap, and such racial disparities are shown in the cities’ data going back at least four years.
Neither police department could easily explain the numbers. Community leaders and experts point to the intersection of poverty, over-policing, implicit bias and systemic racism to explain the numbers — overlapping, complex issues that make it difficult to analyze use of force data.
“Plenty of studies have shown there is a presumption of criminality when police officers arrive on the scene and there are Black people there,” said Delores Jones-Brown of the University of New Haven’s Department of Criminal Justice and founder of the Center on Race, Crime and Justice at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. “With the presumption of criminality there is the presumption of violence, which creates fear. And fear drives use of force.”
The statistics from Denver and Aurora are no surprise to Black community leaders.
“There are national protests because of what happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis,” said Omar Montgomery, president of the Aurora branch of the NAACP. “Why? Because what happened to him mirrors the experience of Black people nationwide.”
Years of disparity
The Aurora police department recently committed to investigating the causes for the disparity after Councilwoman Angela Lawson raised concerns about the data during several council meetings.
“There was use of force data that was presented at the public safety, courts, and civil service meeting that drew questions from the committee,” Aurora police Chief Vanessa Wilson said in a statement after declining an interview with The Denver Post on the topic. “Since then, we have set out to try and analyze the data to get a better overall understanding of those numbers. That analysis is not yet completed, so speaking to why those numbers reflect the way they do would be speculation. It is something that we are going to continue to look into and see if there are any areas that we can improve policy, procedures, or how we better interact with our community.”
But the data is not new. The percentage of Black people whom Aurora officers use force against has hovered between 38% and 53% since 2014 — consistently disproportionate to the Black population of the city. The department’s annual use of force reports from those years include that data, but only one report mentions the discrepancy, and that mention is very brief.
“It is interesting to note that with the exception of African American/Black, the remaining racial groups were within sixteen percentage points of the city’s population,” stated a report analyzing data from October 2015 through September 2016. The report offered no further analysis.
More detailed breakdown of the numbers reveal further disparities. Last year, Aurora police on 86 occasions used Tasers against Black people while white people were shocked 37 times.
In Denver, Black people have represented between 26% and 30% of the population whom police used force against since at least 2016.
Denver police Chief Paul Pazen said his officers most often are responding to calls for service and reported crimes, which dictates the people with whom they interact. The officers don’t get to choose. He wouldn’t answer questions specifically about the racial demographic data.
“Our objective is to reduce use of force all the way around. It’s not only good for our community but it’s good for our officers,” Pazen said. “It is something that we look at. It is something that we want to improve upon on all areas and levels.”
Neither city’s 2019 use of force data includes the number of times officers pointed a gun at someone but did not fire. In Aurora, displaying a weapon is considered a “display of force” and not a “use of force” and that data is collected separately, department spokeswoman Faith Goodrich said. Denver did not collect that data until June. All departments in Colorado must collect data on when officer draw guns under a police reform law passed in June by the legislature.
‘No easy answer’
There is no perfect way to analyze use of force data to figure out how much discrimination plays into when officers use force. Experts for years have struggled to parse excessive force from reasonable force, crime rates from poverty and instability and arrest rates from over-policing.
“There’s no easy answer,” Jones-Brown said. “It’s always the case that those who are seen as politically less powerful are often the people police use more force against because they can, and they think they can get away with it.”
Police leaders for years have said their officers are not biased but are simply responding to crimes. Those crimes tend to be disproportionally in poorer neighborhoods, which tend to be disproportionately Black.
“By the sheer presence of the police, there’s going to be more opportunities for police to use force,” Jones-Brown said.
Some people will point to the fact that Black people are arrested at higher rates than white people to explain the disproportionate use of force, but experts warn there are concerns with that comparison.
In Aurora, 7% of all arrests of Black people involved force in 2019 and about 6% of arrests of white people involved force.
But those figures don’t acknowledge policies and systemic inequalities that lead to higher arrest rates of Black people, Jones-Brown said.
A 2018 report by the bipartisan U.S. Commission on Civil Rights tackled the difficulty of drawing conclusions from use of force data. The commission stated that there is no sound way to analyze the criminality of a group. Using arrest rates to determine whether use of force is biased is imperfect, because it’s impossible to know how bias played into the arrest data, according to the commission.
“The best available evidence reflects high rates of uses of force nationally, with increased likelihood of police use of force against people of color, people with disabilities, LGBT people, people with mental health concerns, people with low incomes, and those at the intersection of these communities,” the report concluded.
Many of the high-profile incidents of excessive force that have prompted national outcry in recent years had nothing to do with a crime that endangered other people. They stemmed from minor or non-criminal incidents: a traffic stop, selling untaxed cigarettes, walking home while wearing a mask, alleged use of a counterfeit bill, being asleep in one’s own home.
In Aurora, about two-thirds of arrests where force was used were for misdemeanor or petty offenses.
“The statistics from Aurora and Denver show what we all know is true — that people who are simply existing in their black skin are disproportionately vulnerable to police brutality,” said Mari Newman, a Denver civil rights attorney who has won settlements for several victims of excessive force in Denver and Aurora. “Elijah McClain’s case, for example, is a perfect example of the fact that it doesn’t matter how a person acts or what they say — police simply treat people differently because of their skin color.”
‘Be careful, Dad’
Decades of such treatment have caused lasting damage to community trust between police and Black communities in Aurora and Denver, even as police leadership promises to rebuild those relationships.
Terrance Roberts remembers standing outside some East Park Hill apartments as a child and watching a Denver police cruiser go by.
“Every adult and every child in that shopping center flipping off the officers,” Roberts, 44, said. “And I remember the police flipping us off too.”
Not much has changed since then, said Roberts, an anti-violence activist who has helped organized several recent marches to demand justice for McClain. The organization he helped found, Frontline Party for Revolutionary Action, is helping organize a march on Aug. 30 across both cities to protest police violence and racism.
“This is nothing new to us,” Roberts said. “If you’re Black in Denver or Aurora, or even the metro area, it’s been a joke how racist Denver police are and, even worse, the Aurora Police Department.”
Part of the solution for rebuilding trust is ensuring that officers are disciplined when they violate policy, said Al Gardner, chair of Denver’s Citizen Oversight Board. Appropriate discipline not only combats any internal culture that suggests officers can get away with misconduct, but also increases public trust in their government.
“I’m a Black man but I can’t attempt to speak for every Black person in this city,” Gardner said. “The people I’m around, it’s not a complete despair, but it’s cautious. It’s hope for change and hopes that what people say come to fruition this time.”
Of 1,314 documented uses of force in Aurora last year, three officers were ordered to take corrective action or additional training, five were sent to counseling and six were sent to internal affairs. The rest were found to be compliant with policy.
Distrust of police sometimes prompts more contentious encounters, which can lead to uses of force, Jones-Brown said. People who have experienced mistreatment by police are more likely to question officers and push back against their commands, Jones-Brown said.
“When people ask those questions and challenge the authority, police respond with force in a way to maintain hierarchy,” she said.
Tense relationships, decades of history and numerous examples of police mistreating Black people creates an added stress that distracts from other pursuits, Montgomery said.
“Imagine this — you’re a parent and you’re sending your child to school,” Montgomery said. “Your child just learned how to drive. You’re worried about your child being stopped. You’re worried about the school resource officer at school. Shouldn’t you be worried about whether your child is filling out college applications?”
That fear is already embedded in the minds of Israel’s stepdaughters. His 8-year-old worries an interaction similar to what unfolded outside the Safeway will happen again.
“When I leave the house she says, ‘Be careful, Dad,'” he said.


thedenverpost--2020-08-10--Slumping Nolan Arenado sits for a day, Rockies miss his glove in loss to Mariners

For the first time this season , seven-time Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado was not in the starting lineup on Sunday when the Rockies took on the Mariners in Seattle .
His absence cost the Rockies in a 5-3 loss .
There were solid reasons for manager Bud Black ’ s decision to sit Arenado — the third baseman was batting just .185 after an 0-for-5 performance Saturday night in which he left six men on base — but Arenado ’ s glove was missed .
In Seattle ’ s key , three-run seventh inning , fill-in third baseman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a play on Kyle Lewis ’ infield hit — a play Arenado likely would have pulled off .
Then Kyle Seager chopped a ball to Owings for a potential double play , but Owings bobbled the ball for his first error and then made a rushed , wild throw to first for his second error .
That double error opened the door for a sacrifice fly by Evan White and back-to-back RBIs singles by Tim Lopes and Dee Gordon .
Before the game , Black said that Arenado “ looks a little uncomfortable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and said the time was right to give Arenado a day out of the starting lineup .
The two talked about the decision Saturday night .
Asked if Arenado ’ s slump was “ in his head , ” Black replied : “ I think it ’ s more a matter of just straightening out some mechanics .
He looks a little jumpy at the plate .
Maybe a little overaggressive .
He seems to be underneath some pitches … ( hitting ) some flyballs and sort of just underneath.
” Arenado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 54 at-bats and he has hit three home runs in the early going .
He was 0-for-14 following three consecutive games in which he homered , Aug. 3-5 , and the three home runs are his only extra-base hits on the season .
Arenado ’ s OPS is just .614 and he has produced only five RBIs out of the cleanup spot .
Arenado works constantly on his hitting and he ’ s a tough self-critic .
Black said that ’ s good thing — most of the time .
“ He cares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his performance , ” Black said .
“ At times he can beat himself up .
But I think I ’ d rather have a player that way than the other .
“ So , again , he ’ ll come out of this , as we all know , he ’ ll work through this .
Today , I ’ m sure , he ’ ll watch a lot of video ; he ’ ll spend some time in a cage .
There will be conversations with our hitting coaches .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play Nolan.
” Wolters sits , again .
No .
1 catcher Tony Wolters did not start for the fourth consecutive game but Black said that Wolters is healthy .
Black explained that Elias Díaz , who didn ’ t play in the first 12 games but started Sunday for the second time in three games , was a better matchup against Mariners left-hander Justus Sheffield .
Diaz , however , went 0-for-3 .
Chuck ’ s Nazty .
Charlie Blackmon extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a double to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s batting .551 ( 27-for-49 ) during the streak , with 12 runs scored , five doubles , three home runs and 18 RBIs .
Blackmon is one of only 29 players in the “ live-ball era ” ( 1920-present ) to hold a batting average above .450 after his team ’ s first 15 games .
The last to do it was teammate Matt Kemp ( with the Dodgers in 2012 ) .
Blackmon ’ s .458 average is tied with Willie Mays ( 1960 ) for the 21st-highest batting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gray is still looking for his first win , despite pitching pretty well , and despite the fact that opponents are batting just .194 against him .
He is returning to Coors Field , where he owns a career record of 25-11 with a 4.34 ERA .
His .694 home winning percentage is second in franchise history to Jorge De La Rosa ’ s .726 clip ( 53-20 ) among pitchers with 50 or more starts in Denver .
Gray , however , is 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA in five starts at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery in the offseason and the results have not been pretty so far .
He allowed six runs over five innings in his last start Houston , but Ray came away encouraged .
“ Results aside , I feel like my last outing was a big step forward .
I feel like I ’ m starting to piece it together , ” Ray told reporters .
Colorado ’ s Nolan Arenado has blistered Ray , batting .341 ( 14-for-41 ) with three home runs and a 1.160 OPS .
Charlie Blackmon owns Ray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with five homers and a 1.284 OPS .
Trending : Charlie Blackmon went 2-for-3 Sunday , extending his hitting streak to 13 games .
He ’ s batting 27-for-51 ( .529 ) with five doubles , three home runs and 18 RBIs over the streak .
At issue : The Rockies need more production from the bottom of their order .
The last four hitters in the starting lineup went a combined 0-for-15 with six strikeouts in the 5-3 loss at Seattle .

For the first time this season, seven-time Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado was not in the starting lineup on Sunday when the Rockies took on the Mariners in Seattle.
His absence cost the Rockies in a 5-3 loss.
There were solid reasons for manager Bud Black’s decision to sit Arenado — the third baseman was batting just .185 after an 0-for-5 performance Saturday night in which he left six men on base — but Arenado’s glove was missed.
In Seattle’s key, three-run seventh inning, fill-in third baseman Chris Owings couldn’t quite make a play on Kyle Lewis’ infield hit — a play Arenado likely would have pulled off. Then Kyle Seager chopped a ball to Owings for a potential double play, but Owings bobbled the ball for his first error and then made a rushed, wild throw to first for his second error. That double error opened the door for a sacrifice fly by Evan White and back-to-back RBIs singles by Tim Lopes and Dee Gordon.
Before the game, Black said that Arenado “looks a little uncomfortable” in the batter’s box, and said the time was right to give Arenado a day out of the starting lineup. The two talked about the decision Saturday night.
Asked if Arenado’s slump was “in his head,” Black replied: “I think it’s more a matter of just straightening out some mechanics. He looks a little jumpy at the plate. Maybe a little overaggressive. He seems to be underneath some pitches … (hitting) some flyballs and sort of just underneath.”
Arenado has struck out only four times in 54 at-bats and he has hit three home runs in the early going. He was 0-for-14 following three consecutive games in which he homered, Aug. 3-5, and the three home runs are his only extra-base hits on the season. Arenado’s OPS is just .614 and he has produced only five RBIs out of the cleanup spot.
Arenado works constantly on his hitting and he’s a tough self-critic. Black said that’s good thing — most of the time.
“He cares a lot about this organization, and his performance,” Black said. “At times he can beat himself up. But I think I’d rather have a player that way than the other.
“So, again, he’ll come out of this, as we all know, he’ll work through this. Today, I’m sure, he’ll watch a lot of video; he’ll spend some time in a cage. There will be conversations with our hitting coaches. But today was just a good day not to play Nolan.”
Wolters sits, again. No. 1 catcher Tony Wolters did not start for the fourth consecutive game but Black said that Wolters is healthy. Black explained that Elias Díaz, who didn’t play in the first 12 games but started Sunday for the second time in three games, was a better matchup against Mariners left-hander Justus Sheffield. Diaz, however, went 0-for-3.
Chuck’s Nazty. Charlie Blackmon extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a double to right field in the first inning. He’s batting .551 (27-for-49) during the streak, with 12 runs scored, five doubles, three home runs and 18 RBIs.
Blackmon is one of only 29 players in the “live-ball era” (1920-present) to hold a batting average above .450 after his team’s first 15 games. The last to do it was teammate Matt Kemp (with the Dodgers in 2012). Blackmon’s .458 average is tied with Willie Mays (1960) for the 21st-highest batting average in the first 15 games.
On Deck
Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (1-2, 9.45 ERA) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (0-1, 3.31)
6:40 p.m. Monday, Coors Field
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM
Gray is still looking for his first win, despite pitching pretty well, and despite the fact that opponents are batting just .194 against him. He is returning to Coors Field, where he owns a career record of 25-11 with a 4.34 ERA. His .694 home winning percentage is second in franchise history to Jorge De La Rosa’s .726 clip (53-20) among pitchers with 50 or more starts in Denver. Gray, however, is 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA in five starts at home vs. Arizona. Ray tweaked his delivery in the offseason and the results have not been pretty so far. He allowed six runs over five innings in his last start Houston, but Ray came away encouraged. “Results aside, I feel like my last outing was a big step forward. I feel like I’m starting to piece it together,” Ray told reporters. Colorado’s Nolan Arenado has blistered Ray, batting .341 (14-for-41) with three home runs and a 1.160 OPS. Charlie Blackmon owns Ray, too: .435 (20-for-46) with five homers and a 1.284 OPS.
Trending: Charlie Blackmon went 2-for-3 Sunday, extending his hitting streak to 13 games. He’s batting 27-for-51 (.529) with five doubles, three home runs and 18 RBIs over the streak.
At issue: The Rockies need more production from the bottom of their order. The last four hitters in the starting lineup went a combined 0-for-15 with six strikeouts in the 5-3 loss at Seattle.
Pitching probables


thedenverpost--2020-08-10--Collin Morikawa delivers a great shot in quiet moment to win PGA Championship

SAN FRANCISCO — Collin Morikawa delivered a shot that will go down as one of the best in a major that hardly anyone witnessed , setting up an eagle on the 16th hole Sunday that carried him to the most quiet PGA Championship ever .
In the first major without spectators , Morikawa finished with a bang .
He was among seven players tied for the lead on the back nine at Harding Park , as wild as any Sunday in a major .
Morikawa chipped in from 40 feet on the 14th hole to take the lead , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On the 294-yard 16th hole , Morikawa hit driver that hopped onto the green and settled 7 feet below the cup .
He made it for eagle and was on his way .
Morikawa closed with a 6-under 64 , the lowest final round by a PGA champion in 25 years , and took his place among the young stars taking over golf .
Just over a year ago , he was finishing up his degree at nearby California , one of several heralded college players ready to rule .
Now he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by beating a world-class lineup on the public course in San Francisco .
Dustin Johnson never got anything going .
Brooks Koepka turned out to be all talk in his bid for a third straight PGA Championship .
Tiger Woods was long gone before the leaders even tee off .
This major was up for grabs until one swing on a hole along the shores of Lake Merced , where the tee was moved up to tempt players to drive the green or pay the price if they missed in the trees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left .
Morikawa never hesitated .
The swing was never more pure .

SAN FRANCISCO — Collin Morikawa delivered a shot that will go down as one of the best in a major that hardly anyone witnessed, setting up an eagle on the 16th hole Sunday that carried him to the most quiet PGA Championship ever.
In the first major without spectators, Morikawa finished with a bang.
He was among seven players tied for the lead on the back nine at Harding Park, as wild as any Sunday in a major. Morikawa chipped in from 40 feet on the 14th hole to take the lead, and then he ended it with one swing. On the 294-yard 16th hole, Morikawa hit driver that hopped onto the green and settled 7 feet below the cup.
He made it for eagle and was on his way. Morikawa closed with a 6-under 64, the lowest final round by a PGA champion in 25 years, and took his place among the young stars taking over golf.
Just over a year ago, he was finishing up his degree at nearby California, one of several heralded college players ready to rule. Now he has three victories, including a major, by beating a world-class lineup on the public course in San Francisco.
Dustin Johnson never got anything going. Brooks Koepka turned out to be all talk in his bid for a third straight PGA Championship. Tiger Woods was long gone before the leaders even tee off.
This major was up for grabs until one swing on a hole along the shores of Lake Merced, where the tee was moved up to tempt players to drive the green or pay the price if they missed in the trees to the right or the hazard to the left.
Morikawa never hesitated. The swing was never more pure.