National Football League

Manning, Broncos bond over a round of golf before OTAs

Published May. 26, 2015 9:25 p.m. ET

foxsports

Peyton Manning and a few of his Broncos teammates hit the links on their last day off before organized team activities.

There, they blew off some steam before hitting the field as a group for the first time since their AFC Divisional Round loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Linebacker DeMarcus Ware was in attendance and said outings like these help build championship teams.

“I think when you think about football, it’s a team sport and you have to have events during the offseason that build that team camaraderie,” Ware told the team's official website. “It’s not just about the X’s and O’s it’s about the family time and getting to know guys after taking the helmet off.”

Those moments will be fewer and fewer once OTAs pick up on Wednesday morning. Until then, safety David Bruton Jr. said he's happy to take the time to bond with fellow Broncos.

“Usually going into training camp you’re all tense the day before and you don’t sleep well but this is a way to get guys out there and relax,” said Bruton Jr. “We get to know each other as teammates, not just on the field but as people outside of work.”

Ware and Bruton Jr. will soon be competing against Manning and Co. both at OTAs, and soon, at training camp. And as professional athletes, Ware said it was tough to just turn that button off --

even at a golf outing meant to be for fun.

“It’s competitive no doubt,” said Ware. “I mean, some guys can’t even golf and they look like they are expert golfers, me being one of those guys. I’m going to compete regardless.”

(h/t Denver Broncos)