Broncos’ Prater broke a car windshield today

This is the windshield that was victimized by Prater on Wednesday. (Image courtesy of Arran Andersen/KMGH-TV)

When you combine kicker Matt Prater‘s powerful leg and the fact that Broncos‘ employees park their cars at the south end of Denver’s practice facility—behind the field goal uprights—windshield causalities are bound to happen.

That’s exactly what happened during practice on Wednesday afternoon when one of Prater’s kicks broke the windshield of an unsuspecting SUV in the employee’s parking lot.  The owner of the vehicle is unknown.

After practice, Prater, who converted 19-of-25 field goal attempts last season with a long of 59 yards, told the Denver Post‘s Lindsay Jones that it was the fifth windshield he’s ever broken with a football.  Prater does not have to pay for the windshields be breaks (Jones noted that Matt broke Mike Klis’ in 2008 and it was covered by insurance).

“It’s insurance, it’s not my fault,” Prater said, laughing when asked if he’d he responsible for the repairs. “I guess don’t park anywhere near the uprights.”

If Prater’s powerful leg helps kick the Broncos into the postseason again in 2012, Denver couldn’t care less how many windshields he breaks during practice. Prater should now turn his attention from glass and focus on breaking a kicking record—by booting a 63+ yard field goal during the regular season.