Dalton Risner
DENVER BRONCOS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Guard | Kansas State | 4 |
Excellence on the Field:
Dalton Risner is a fourth-year offensive lineman from Kansas State University who has started all 54 games played with Denver (through Week 7, 2022). He was named to the All-Rookie Team after starting 16 games at left guard as a rookie (2019) and finished as one of 10 rookies in the NFL to start all 16 games, ranking eighth among the league's rookies with 1,035 snaps played. He ended his initial season as the first interior lineman in team history to start all 16 games as a rookie. Risner followed up a strong rookie campaign by opening all 16 games at left guard in 2020, allowing zero sacks and having no penalties called against him. In 2021, he recorded 832 offensive snaps while starting all 15 games played at left guard. This season he has played 100% of offensive snaps, just one of two Denver Broncos players to do so, proving himself a durable and key impact player for the team. Through Week 6, he has accounted for just one penalty over nearly 400 offensive snaps. Risner was selected by the Broncos in the second round (41st overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year:
In his fourth year with the Denver Broncos, Dalton Risner continues to raise the bar for what it means to be a leader in the community. Dalton partners with others to have the greatest impact and has committed to serving in key roles to lift up the work of nonprofit partners. A Precious Child provides children in need with opportunities and resources to empower them to achieve their full potential. Dalton serves as an Athlete Ambassador for the organization, hosts annual football and life skills camps for children, and spearheaded financial and in-kind support for families impacted by the Marshall Fire – the most destructive fire in Colorado history. Dalton raised more than $7,500 for those impacted by the fires through a Fire Relief Auction, featuring game-worn, autographed items from his teammates. He later visited Monarch HS to meet with students and teachers impacted by the Marshall Fire and present a donation of $5,000, as well as a $5,000 donation to A Precious Child to further their work to support those impacted. Denver Rescue Mission restores the lives of people experiencing homelessness and addiction through emergency services, rehabilitation, transitional programs, and community outreach. Dalton regularly serves meals at various shelters and housing facilities, donated 200 winter coats to families in transitional programs, and partners with businesses to provide in-kind donations to individuals and families – most recently a new HVAC system for a Ukrainian refugee family. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Dalton serves as an Honorary Board Member of Special Olympics Colorado, is a local and national spokesperson and Champion Ambassador for the organization and hosts private and public events for athletes he meets and mentors. Camp Kymel improves the health of children and adolescents with cancer through summer camp experiences. He serves on the Board of Directors, attends camp activities and organization-wide events, and hosts special experiences for campers, including a cleat design contest for My Cause My Cleats. Dalton works tirelessly to make a difference through his personal foundation outreach, dedication to team-led programming, and support of teammate initiatives. At the time of submission, Dalton participated in 40 different volunteer events and appearances in 2022 alone.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past:
Dalton founded the RisnerUp Foundation while at Kansas State University to have long lasting impact in the communities in which he has lived and played. The Foundation was created to positively impact others through love and kindness. Dalton's ultimate dream was that the Foundation one day becomes big enough to host camps for those with special needs, cancer, are victims of bullying, or simply "have a small town dream just like me." Years after its founding, the Foundation is doing just that and so much more. Dalton believes life is measured by the joy you bring to others – not your own individual accomplishments. While he does not give back for recognition or accolades, Dalton has been consistently leading by example. He was named the Broncos Community Rookie of the year in 2019. During his rookie season, Dalton volunteered at nearly 20 community events and spoke to students across Colorado about the importance of having a positive attitude and being a good teammate. In addition to his work with the team, he continued to positively impact others through love and kindness through his Foundation. He received the Broncos Community Impact Award in 2020 and dedicated time and resources during the 2020 season to COVID-19 relief efforts while also expanding his work with Special Olympics. Through his Foundation, he raised nearly $17,000 for COVID-19 Relief by hosting a radiothon to benefit Food Bank of the Rockies, Boys & Girls Clubs and Volunteers of America's Meals on Wheels program. He also spent countless hours recording messages and providing words of encouragement for the entire Colorado youth and HS football community during an unprecedented season. Additionally, Dalton became a Special Olympics Colorado Board Member and hosted multiple national events geared towards creating a more inclusive sports community and world for athletes of all abilities. He was named a 2021 Broncos Community Ambassador and spent countless hours volunteering, serving on nonprofit boards, and has made ongoing financial contributions to various organizations. In 2021, he established a new partnership with local nonprofit 'A Precious Child,' and expanded his outreach with Special Olympics in both CO and KS, and Denver Rescue Mission. Dalton doesn't believe in silos. That's why his dedication to serve can be traced back across the state and years - to community groups ranging from those battling cancer to those just trying to make ends meet.
Positive Character & a Lifestyle of Giving Back:
Dalton Risner embraces a unique position to be in – playing professional football for his hometown (and home state) team, the Denver Broncos. He fondly talks of memories attending Broncos games as a child and hoping one day to represent the organization on the field and in the community. During his four years at Kansas State, Dalton started 50 of 51 games and earned a number of awards during his tenure: three-time First-Team All-Big 12, 2018 Big 12 Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year, and a 2018 All-American. However one recognition stood out above the rest when Risner was named one of the 22 college football players (out of 169 nominees) selected to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. Only a select group of collegiate student-athletes have the honor of being commended for their distinguished accomplishments off the field and in the community. Now in his fourth NFL season, Dalton is bridging the gap for individuals just like him in rural Colorado. "I'm a Colorado guy. I take pride in being a part of the community and a leader. There are so many families that need help. I want to be a part of that," Dalton said. He connects back to his hometown of Wiggins, Colorado by supporting youth and high school football players that his dad currently coaches. In a full circle moment earlier this year, Dalton was the keynote speaker for the National Football Foundation Colorado Chapter's Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet. He spoke with attendees — a mix of student-athletes, coaches, educators, and parents — about the importance of teamwork, academics, and believing in yourself. This is the same event Dalton was honored at during his high school career for his accomplishments in the classroom and on the football field. The Denver Broncos are proud to select Dalton Risner as their 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.