NFL

Broncos player questioned in hooker sting, sent home to Denver

SAN FRANCISCO — If only Eugene Robinson was a broadcaster for the Broncos instead of the Panthers, the Broncos might not be dealing with an embarrassing story.

Robinson warned the Panthers about messing around with prostitutes during Super Bowl week, which he famously did back in 1999 when he was on the Falcons Super Bowl team. But it was the Broncos who needed the warning.

Broncos rookie safety Ryan Murphy, a member of the team’s practice squad, was sent back to Denver, the team said, after he was questioned Tuesday by San Jose police in a prostitution sting.

“Although practice squad safety Ryan Murphy was not cited by police, we decided it was best for the team if we continued our preparations for Super Bowl 50 without him,” coach Gary Kubiak said.

According to a report by CBS in San Francisco, the sting was conducted by Santa Clara County’s mutli-agency human trafficking task force.

Citing sources, CBS said police detained a suspected prostitute in the area of a Motel 6. The woman told police that she had to go to a car to retrieve something. Murphy was inside the car with his brother. The report said Murphy was questioned and released by police. His brother and the suspected prostitute were cited.

Kubiak said Murphy’s practice squad status had not changed.