Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has shared the poignant childhood experience behind his long-standing fear of dogs, bravely confronting it in a special Christmas Day meeting arranged by ESPN and Amazon Prime broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit.
From Viral Snub to Candid Confession
The NFL star previously sparked confusion online when a video showed him giving a cold reception to Herbstreit's dog, Peter, earlier this year. The broadcaster, who often brings his pet on set, was unaware of Nix's phobia at the time.
Determined to resolve the awkward moment, Herbstreit organised a festive reunion on Wednesday, December 25. He shared the heartwarming follow-up on Instagram, captioning a video of the pair: 'We had to make it happen after last time.'
In the clip, Herbstreit first apologised for the earlier encounter before the conversation turned to the root of the fear. Nix then revealed a traumatic incident from his youth. 'I just think when I was little I got attacked by one, and I didn't know any better,' the quarterback explained.
He added that his family were not dog people, having had one pet that passed away during his childhood, after which they did not get another. After their chat, Nix courageously stepped forward to pet Peter, declaring: 'My wife will be shocked!' referring to his spouse, Izzy.
From 'Overdogs' Meme to Philanthropy
This is not the first time Nix has been involved in a canine-related story this NFL season. Earlier in December, after the Broncos' upset 34-26 victory over the Green Bay Packers as clear underdogs, Nix coined a hilarious new term.
Speaking to CBS reporter Tracy Wolfson on the field, a beaming Nix declared: 'Now we're the overdogs!' The quip quickly went viral on social media.
Seizing the positive momentum, the quarterback has since launched an 'Overdogs' apparel line. In a classy philanthropic move, proceeds from the merchandise sales are being donated to the Denver Rescue Mission, a charity focused on ending homelessness in Metro Denver and Northern Colorado.
Broncos' Momentum Continues
Nix's off-field bravery mirrors his team's recent on-field resilience. The Broncos' winning form shows no sign of slowing, having recently secured a significant 20-13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
All attention now turns to their final regular-season game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, January 4, as they look to cap a strong finish to the campaign.
