The NFL community was left stunned after Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix revealed a disturbing text message he received from a self-identified Cincinnati Bengals fan just days before the Broncos face the Bengals in a highly anticipated matchup.

Nix, who has quickly become the face of Denver’s rebuilding effort, posted a screenshot of the threatening message on his social media account late Saturday night. The text reportedly contained explicit language, insults, and a chilling warning that he would “regret stepping onto the field against Cincinnati.”

“Competition is one thing, but this goes way beyond football,” Nix wrote in the caption. “I love this game and I respect every opponent. What I don’t respect is when fans cross the line and threaten players. That’s not passion. That’s hate.”

The post immediately went viral, sparking outrage from fans, players, and analysts alike. The Broncos organization released a statement Sunday morning condemning the incident and confirming that security measures for both Nix and the team would be heightened in preparation for the game.

“We take the safety of our players very seriously,” the team’s statement read. “The message sent to Bo was unacceptable. We have been in contact with league officials and local authorities to ensure the matter is properly addressed.”

Head coach Sean Payton also weighed in, calling the incident “absolutely disgusting” and praising Nix for handling the situation with maturity. “Bo is a competitor,” Payton said. “He’s focused on football and on helping us win. No threat, no distraction is going to shake him from that mission.”

Around the league, players showed solidarity with the Broncos quarterback. Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes retweeted Nix’s post with the message: “We compete hard on the field, but threats like this have no place in our sport. Stay strong, Bo.” Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who will line up opposite Nix this weekend, also commented: “This is not who we are as a fanbase. I stand with Bo against this kind of behavior.”

The NFL released a brief statement condemning harassment of players, promising cooperation with law enforcement to investigate the threat. League insiders noted that fan misconduct of this nature has been rising in recent years, particularly with social media making it easier for individuals to directly contact players.

For Broncos fans, the incident has become a rallying cry. Many flooded social media with the hashtag #StandWithBo, vowing to support their quarterback as he prepares for what could be the defining game of his young career.

Despite the off-field drama, Nix insists his focus remains squarely on the game. “At the end of the day, I just want to play football,” he told reporters after practice. “We’ve worked hard to prepare for the Bengals, and I’m excited to show what this team can do.”

The controversy has only heightened the intensity of an already high-stakes clash. With the Bengals aiming to cement their place among AFC elites and the Broncos desperate to prove they can contend under Sean Payton’s leadership, all eyes will be on Bo Nix — both for his performance on the field and the strength he’s shown off it.