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No one can blame the Denver Broncos for being motivated. Last time they stepped on the football field, destiny was 60 minutes away and, to say the least, they didn't grab it. It's another number that has them focused this offseason, though.
Thirty-five. That's how many points the Seahawks kicked them in the teeth by during Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, N.J.., and it's what they're using as a "rallying cry" during this offseason.
"Whenever someone gets tired, you just say '35,' and they just start picking it up again," defensive end Malik Jackson said. “We know we have to come back strong this year. We had a disappointing loss. But that’s last season. We’re ready to move on."
Players who weren't even on the team are utilizing the number for motivation, like safety T.J. Ward, who signed a deal with Denver this offseason.
“Right now, it is still a hunger,” Ward said. “You can tell it was a bad taste in the team’s mouth from last year. Everybody is looking to improve and get better. The goal is to win that Super Bowl, so we’re working really hard right now."
You could be skeptical about someone being motivated by that number without experiencing it. Or you could buy into someone seeing how painful that memory is (and they probably saw it -- the whole world did after all) for the players involved.
And their willingness to avoid having a repeat at any costs.