Former NFL Player Luther Ellis Becomes Team Chaplain to Denver Broncos After Bankruptcy
After a heralded career in the NFL ended in bankruptcy, former defensive tackle Luther Ellis is now helping the Denver Broncos with their financial and spiritual needs as the team's chaplain.
Elliss, 42, ended his career over 10 years ago after being one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league, but the former Broncos player, who spent most of his career playing for Detroit, also has a cautionary tale to share with players. After leaving the league in 2004, Ellis invested in a call center and automotive industry manufacturing company that led to his bankruptcy.
While a number of NFL players might think they have it all, the minister is not afraid to tell his story if it can help others financially.
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"Everything they touch turns to gold. And usually they're pretty creative, hard workers, so they've been able to overcome things, any obstacle that comes to mind," Elliss told The Island Packet in an interview published on Saturday. "And even for myself, we had guys come over and talk to us about finances and gave us the statistics, it was like over 60 percent of the guys end up broke, divorced, homeless, without a job after you leave the game within three years. And I'm like, 'No, that's not me.'"
Even though Elliss' businesses didn't end up working out, his wife and faith helped the two-time former pro-bowler overcome tough times.
"I just hope people understand I never meant to do anyone harm. But it was my own foolishness and pride that took me off the cliff," he continued. "You think of people that normally go through bankruptcy and everything else, rags to riches or riches to rags, you see that story so often end in divorce, separation and all those types of things. But it was because my wife and I have such a strong faith. That's what carried us through and it allowed us to move on."
His passion for faith coupled with his experience is what led to Broncos head coach Gary Wayne Kubiak to ask Ellis to rejoin the team in a different capacity over 10 years after he left the field.
"When Kubiak gave me this opportunity, it was like OK. We knew it was the right thing to do," Elliss said. "I love sharing the Gospel and doing those things. I've always had a heart for ministry and I just thought if I could go back to the NFL, I would want to go back to minister, to love on these guys, and I can also share my experience and help them shape their future."
According to Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, Ellis' experiences have given him a sense of humility that make him a welcome addition to the team.
"He's been to the mountaintop and he's been humbled," Marshall said in the IP report. "It's really nice to have a guy like that. I went to him when I had questions. He's very knowledgeable, he's wise, he's like a gentle giant."
Even Ryan Harris, a Muslim offensive tackle for the Broncos, can relate to Ellis despite their differences in religious beliefs.
"When you take two people who have deep religious beliefs, you're going to share the same faith one way or the other," Harris told IP. "So, I think there's just a high level of respect not only because he played but because also he's inspired by his faith in religion. And he has the respect of all of us. He's a great, positive influence to have in the locker room."
