LAS VEGAS — Rick Upchurch knows the Las Vegas area as well as he once did his Broncos playbook.
The former Denver star receiver and punt and kickoff returner has lived in Las Vegas the past four years and early this century spent four years in the city. And he will put his knowledge to use heading into Super Bowl LVIII next Sunday at Allegiant Stadium between Kansas City and San Francisco.
Upchurch signed up to be what is called a “Playmaker,” but it has nothing to do with him being a former player. He and his wife Donna will serve as greeters to visitors arriving in Las Vegas for the big game.
The two will be situated downtown on Fremont Street for several hours Thursday and Friday, telling visitors where to go while offering recommendations. To make them recognizable, they will wear issued red hats that read “Team LVIII” and don purple jerseys adorned with a big No. 58. On the front, the jerseys will read “Team LVIII” and the back “Playmaker.”
Upchurch will wear a name tag, but there will be no reference to him having played for the Broncos from 1975-83, including a huge performance in Super Bowl XII in January 1978. As far as Upchurch knows, out of several thousand volunteers who will be working the streets in the city as greeters, he is the only one to have played in the NFL.