Artifacts from Broncos’ rising star Nik Bonitto on display in Canton

Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto flipped an Indianapolis Colts attempt at an unconventional play into a record-setting effort.

The results: a Broncos touchdown and new artifacts at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

During the fourth quarter of Denver’s 31-13 Week 15 victory against Indianapolis on Dec. 15, 2024, Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell attempted to complete a backward pass to teammate Anthony Richardson. Bonitto accurately read the play, jumped in front of Mitchell’s toss and returned the turnover — officially a fumble — 50 yards for a Broncos defensive touchdown.

“It was kind of a slow-developing play, so I knew something was weird,” Bonitto told DenverBroncos.com. “The receiver usually doesn't go catch screens like that. Once I saw Richardson drifting back a little bit, I decided to go try and break on it and ended up getting it.”

For Bonitto, playing his third NFL season, it was the second consecutive game in which he recorded a defensive touchdown of 50 yards of longer. He became the first linebacker to accomplish that feat.

The first of Bonitto’s record-setting long-distance returns occurred Dec. 2, 2024, when he took an errant Jameis Winston pass 71 yards for a touchdown during the second quarter of a 41-32 victory against the Cleveland Browns.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame received the jersey and gloves Bonitto wore during his record-setting performance and has placed the items on display in its “Pro Football Today Gallery.”