Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds is recovering after a terrifying incident in which he was shot in the head outside a Colorado strip club last week. Broncos head coach Sean Payton, visibly shaken, shared an update on Reynolds’ condition with the media Friday, revealing the player was deeply distressed by the harrowing encounter but is “fortunate” to have escaped with his life. “I’ve had a chance to talk with him,” Payton said, “and he’s pretty shaken up.”
Reynolds, 29, was struck in the back of his head and left arm outside the Glendale strip club Shotgun Willie’s in the early hours of October 18. Police say he and two friends had just left the club around 3 a.m. when gunfire erupted. Both Reynolds and another man sustained minor injuries and were treated and released from the hospital, while two suspects, Burr Charlesworth and Luis Mendoza, now face charges of attempted first-degree murder and assault.
As details emerge, the investigation remains ongoing. Reports indicate Reynolds’ vehicle, a blue Ford Bronco, was abandoned along a Denver interstate, riddled with bullet holes — an unsettling reminder of the life-threatening encounter. While it’s unclear whether Reynolds was driving, police have been piecing together 911 calls from the night of the attack, in which callers described being chased and shot at.
For Payton, the incident has been sobering. He acknowledged the team’s commitment to support Reynolds with mental health resources as the player recovers physically and emotionally. “Resources go into play — all of it,” he said, emphasizing the organization’s dedication to ensuring Reynolds gets the help he needs.
A new member of the Broncos, Reynolds signed a two-year, $9 million deal in April. While recovering from a finger injury sustained in Week 5, he’s been a valuable asset with an impressive record spanning multiple NFL teams. Reynolds isn’t the first Broncos player to encounter violent crime off the field. In 2007, cornerback Darrent Williams was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting in Denver, underscoring the risks players can face outside the game.
The investigation continues as the Broncos rally around Reynolds, hoping he finds strength after a traumatizing ordeal. As Payton pointed out, “He’s lucky” to have survived, but the impact of that night will undoubtedly remain.
