OREM — These retired football stars haven't forgotten their fans.
Five former players for the Denver Broncos played against Utah officers in an exhibition basketball game to raise money for the Utah Peace Officers Association.
The money earned at the event held at the McKay Events Center at Utah Valley State College helps UPOA when called to help families of officers who die in the line of duty.
The group, made up of officers from law-enforcement agencies across the state, gives financial relief to officers' families, funeral help and offer the services of a chaplain. It also supports community charities, including an annual horse show for disabled children.
"I love doing it for the police officers and firemen," said former wide receiver Mark Jackson.
Says former free safety Tyrone Braxton: "It helps give back in a small way."
Former tight end Ron Egloff said the ex-NFL stars participate in charity fund-raisers several times a month, mostly for fire departments and police officer associations.
"I do it because it's the right thing to do," former wide receiver Rick Upchurch said. "It lifts communities up across the country."
"Life has been pretty good," former wide receiver Larry Brunson said. "It's time to give back."
Brunson remembers how the fans supported him and the team.
"They supported you. It's time to support somebody else," he said.
The Denver Broncos Alumni Association, with more than 100 members, spreads around its charity efforts among the former athletes. They work around their jobs to take turns playing benefit games and showing up to speak and schools and businesses.
Upchurch runs Rare Breeds, Inc. a sports and leadership program. The others have "life after football" jobs, said Jackson. Several, including Brunson, work in real estate or mortgage lending.
Most of the law-enforcement team that played against the former football players came from the Utah Highway Patrol, except Kyle Stauffer who works in the driver's license division in Heber.
Saturday's game was his third time playing a benefit. He enjoys watching kids meet the Broncos and ask for autographs.
"They won't know me," he said, "unless they're getting a license."
Score: 67-59. Broncos win.
E-mail: rodger@desnews.com