ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Michael Bandy is a 5-foot-10 dynamo who once gave up football for rugby, was cut nine times as a pro and waited five NFL seasons to reach the end zone.
A former FCS star at San Diego, Bandy ran an underneath crossing route, hauled in Bo Nix's pass and turned up the sideline to scoot into the end zone, igniting the Denver Broncos' 34-26 win over the Green Bay Packers last weekend.
So, what was it like to finally hit pay dirt at age 28?
“I can honestly say I don't really remember, like I blacked out,” Bandy said. “It was just so much emotion. I've been in the league five years now and it's been a while since I've scored a touchdown, since college.”
Bandy had to watch the replay on his phone.
“So, I couldn't tell you exactly what it feels like,” he said, “but it was every emotion and it was pretty cool.”
Nix and wide receiver Courtland Sutton were so excited for Bandy that they chased him into the end zone. Both halted and made a beeline for the ball that Bandy had dropped as he stomped across the orange-painted end zone, roaring as much as any fan.
“Yeah, we were able to get the football. Courtland and Bo grabbed it and brought it to me, which was pretty cool,” Bandy said of the memento, now safely back home.
With rookie Pat Bryant (hamstring) ruled out, the Broncos needed to elevate a wide receiver from their practice squad in Week 15 and it was somewhat surprising it was Bandy and not new acquisition Elijah Moore.
After Marvin Mims Jr. went to the sideline with a stinger early in the game, Bandy got his chance and made the most of it.
“It was supposed to be Mims' play,” coach Sean Payton said. “There was a minute when he was out, and so Bandy jumped in because he knows every position and ends up catching Mims’ touchdown.”
Bandy, who carries 190 pounds on his compact frame, said the only way he's been able to keep his NFL dream alive is to be versatile: “That's the easiest way to get on the field is just knowing what to do at all the different spots. The more you can do, the better.”
Payton took pride in seeing Bandy score his first touchdown.
“He's played five years in this league. He’s been in 12 games,” Payton said. “Each week, I say to the offensive guys, ‘We have to find a way to get him up.’ He does so many things well, and that was his first touchdown. That was pretty cool to see because his journey is different. ...
“Five years is a long time. He embraces the role, and like I said, he can go in at any position and not flinch. That’s not easy considering all the formations and plays we have.”
Nix called Bandy's score special.
“I think that was awesome for several reasons,” he said. “Mike has not necessarily had the easiest road to the NFL. He hasn’t had the most opportunities to have a situation like that, but I think it goes to show that with a little bit of grit, a little bit of determination, you can do what you put your mind to.”
What made Nix and the rest of Bandy's teammates so excited for him was knowing how hard to works at practice and on the scout team.
“For Michael, it’s just awesome to see. I know he’s had a very long road, a lot of ups and a lot of downs, a lot of times unfortunately getting cut and then having to fight his way back out. He just continues to do it with a smile on his face, has a great attitude,” Nix said. “I think every team needs a Bandy, and I think we have the best one.”
The Broncos (12-2), who host Jacksonville (10-4) on Sunday, activated G Ben Powers (biceps) from injured reserve to their 53-man roster Saturday. Powers started 39 consecutive games for Denver before he was injured in Week 5 at Philadelphia. The Broncos also elevated QB Sam Ehlinger and S Delarrin Turner-Yell from their practice squad and signed G Calvin Throckmorton to the practice squad after he was waived earlier this week.
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Denver Broncos' Michael Bandy celebratesw his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos' Bo Nix celebrates after throwing a touchdown to Michael Bandy during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — University students behind nearly two years of anti-government protests in Serbia on Monday formally entered the election race before an early parliamentary vote, challenging populist President Aleksandar Vucic.
The youth movement submitted their election list to the state election authorities after a joyful march through downtown Belgrade, the capital of the Balkan country. A few thousand people joined the noisy gathering, clapping in support.
The Oct. 25 vote is seen as a major test for Vucic, whose Serbian Progressive Party, or SNS, party has held a tight grip on power since taking office 14 years ago. The election will be held against the backdrop of heightened political tensions as the governing populists seek to remain in office despite widespread popular discontent.
The protests were triggered by a train station tragedy on Nov. 1, 2024, that killed 16 people in northern Serbia. The students demanded accountability for the concrete canopy collapse in the city of Novi Sad alleging that corruption led to flawed renovation work on the building.
Almost daily demonstrations, sometimes drawing hundreds of thousands of people, shook Vucic more than at any time since his party came to power in 2012. Vucic has been Serbia's prime minister or president since 2014.
Protesting students have demanded an early parliamentary election for more than a year, but Vucic has apparently waited until he felt strong enough to run.
Milica Popovic told the crowd on Monday that her fellow students will show that “the law exists in Serbia and that justice is not the privilege of the chosen few.”
“You have told us not to give up and we haven't,” she said. “It is now time for us to take over the institutions of this country.”
Vucic said he would resign the presidency on Sept. 27 so that he can lead his Serbian Progressive Party's campaign, and become the prime minister if they win. He can't run for president again since Serbia's constitution sets a two-term limit. An early presidential election will be held separately.
The student-backed list includes university professors, teachers, experts and other individuals from all walks of life.
The crowd on Monday in Belgrade chanted “Victory,” before heading toward Serbia's national electoral commission headquarters. Participants carried a huge banner reading “Students win,” along with the copy of Belgrade's landmark Victor monument.
Vucic on Monday described his chief opponents as a “nameless list, a list without a program, without plans, without anything.” He alleged an elaborate campaign of lies against his government, including reports that authorities used a sonic weapon against peaceful protesters at a huge gathering last March in Belgrade.
Vucic's SNS party and allied Socialist Party already have submitted their tickets for the election. Several right-wing and centrist opposition parties will also run.
Vucic has pushed back hard against the protesters, sparking international concern over police violence and arbitrary detentions. He has accused the students and their professors of intending to “destroy the state” under unspecified foreign guidance.
Serbia’s bid to join the European Union has stalled under Vucic, who has maintained close ties with both Russia and China. Previous elections in Serbia have been marred by multiple irregularities and violence.
Students prepare a replica of the "Victor" monument, symbol of Belgrade, ahead of the "Student list - Students win" march to the Republic Election Commission towards participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Political candidates, students and citizens carry signatures for the "Student list - Students win" to the Republic Election Commission towards participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Political candidates, students and citizens carry signatures for the "Student list - Students win" to the Republic Election Commission towards participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Political candidates, students and citizens carry signatures for the "Student list - Students win" to the Republic Election Commission towards participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Political candidates, students and citizens carry signatures for the "Student list - Students win" to the Republic Election Commission towards participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
