Ben Garland makes me damn proud to be a Broncos fan

Denver Broncos defensive lineman Ben Garland, right, salutes Brig. Gen. Trulan A. Eyre during a ceremony where Garland was sworn into the Colorado Air National Guard by at the team's headquarters and training facility in Englewood, Colo., on Wednesday, May 30, 2012. Garland graduated from the U. S. Air Force Academy in 2010.(AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

It’s hard not to root for Ben Garland.

Scratch that, it’s un-American.

“I got to practice today, then I got to put on the best uniform in the world, which is this Air Force uniform,” Garland said Wednesday. Garland was sworn into the 140th Wing of the Colorado Air National Guard, part of his six-year commitment as a public relations officer for the Air Force.

Garland spent the last two years on active duty with the Air Force. An undrafted rookie free agent of the Broncos in 2010, he has spent the last two seasons on Denver’s military reserve list, waiting to resume this opportunity.

He’s the first Bronco in team history to be inducted into a military service branch at team headquarters.

“You’ve got a high-character young man, a tremendous leader, a guy that is humble, a guy that wants to be a darn good teammate, a guy that’s dependable and a guy that’s durable,” Air Force football coach Troy Calhoun said. “He’s a great example, not just on the football field, but more importantly as a human being. This guy is a winner. He’s as [good as a] leader as a leader gets.”

A bubble player to make the team’s roster, the 6-5, 305 lbs. defensive end (up from 275 lbs. in 2010) gets the BT Profile treatment later this afternoon. It’s clear he has the intangibles on lock.

“He’s no stranger to working hard and giving great effort,” head coach John Fox said. “Over the time, I’ve found that those qualities usually amount to a pretty good football player.”

I’m proud of the Broncos sticking with this prospect, showing their support, and giving Garland a chance. He’ll make the most of it.