EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Justin Strnad had a day to remember.
After his first career sack came on his first defensive snap since 2021, though, the Broncos inside linebacker’s mind was anywhere but on his own achievements.
Strnad grew up near Tampa, Fla. and has family and friends all over the area impacted in recent days by Hurricane Helene.
He had dozens of those folks at Raymond James Stadium a week ago — maybe close to 100, he estimated after the game — and then watched helplessly from The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia as the hurricane made landfall and impacted his home area heavily.
“My house took some damage,” said Strnad, whose family lives in Dunedin. “I have a couple of places that took some damage, but compared to some of my friends and family, it’s not even close to what they’re going through.
“I can’t thank my family enough. My family was over at my house the day after cleaning up, taking everything out of the garage, doing everything. Their support and everything they’ve done for me, I can’t thank them enough.”
On the field, the fourth-year linebacker authored the best game of his career in Denver’s 10-9 win against the New York Jets. After two-plus seasons of playing exclusively on special teams, Strnad had a blitz called for him by defensive coordinator Vance Joseph on the first snap of the game.
Related Articles
PHOTOS: Denver Broncos top New York Jets 10-9 in a soggy Week 4 of NFL football
Broncos QB Bo Nix: Rain, wet footballs impacted first half in which he threw for minus-7 yards
Broncos report card: Vance Joseph’s dazzling, dominant defense delivers in 10-9 win over Jets
Bo Nix Watch: Broncos QB overcomes brutal first half against Jets to earn second career win
Broncos Four Downs: Bo Nix rebounds from historically bad first half with first career TD pass
Strnad came free, saw No. 8 in green looking the other way and had a simple thought flash across his mind.
“I think I’m about to sack Aaron Rodgers,” he said.
Indeed, he did. It set the tone for a dominant defensive outing. Not bad for a guy who likely would have much rather been helping with cleanup efforts in Florida.
“Everyone believed in me — everybody’s always believed in me back home and you’ve got to be ready for that opportunity,” Strnad said. “It took a little while to get it, but I’m glad I did.”
Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.