Denver, CO — Broncos Country is uniting in prayer following heartbreaking news that former Broncos legend Steve Atwater has been diagnosed with Stage IV glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and incurable forms of brain cancer. The announcement has sent shockwaves through the Broncos community and across the NFL. 
According to his family, Atwater’s condition has worsened significantly in recent months. He is now confined to bed, receiving palliative care as doctors focus on managing pain and maintaining comfort. His wife shared a deeply emotional update:
“He can only lie in bed and rely on pain medication to get through each day.”
Always resting beside him is a powerful symbol of his identity and legacy — the Broncos jersey from the final season of his career.
“That Broncos jersey is always right next to him,” his wife said. “It’s like a silent reminder of who he is, helping him fight this disease the same way he fought for Broncos Country for so many years.”
Steve Atwater’s legacy with the Broncos is firmly etched into franchise history. Joining Denver in 1989 after being drafted by the Broncos in the first round, Atwater became one of the most feared safeties of his era. He earned multiple All-Pro honors, recorded numerous interceptions and tackles, and remains a key member of the Broncos’ championship teams in the late 1990s — a testament to his hard-hitting style and dominance in the secondary. 
Known for his toughness, intelligence, and relentless motor, Atwater defined the Broncos’ defensive identity throughout the 1990s. He played with intensity, discipline, and pride, embodying everything the Orange and Navy stood for.
Today, that same warrior spirit defines his fight away from the field — a battle far more difficult than any he faced under the lights on Sunday afternoons. As the Atwater family asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult time, Broncos Country stands together, offering prayers, strength, and gratitude to one of the greatest defenders in team history.
This moment goes beyond football. It is about honoring a Bronco whose legacy will never fade.
🏈🟠 Broncos Country, please keep Steve Atwater and his family in your prayers. Once a Bronco — always a Bronco.
