It's time to celebrate Domata Peko Sr.

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The 12-year veteran doesn't often get recognition, but it's time for that to change.

Selfless, not selfish.

It’s an easy mantra to repeat,Authentic Nick O'Leary Jersey, but one that is far harder to live.

It’s one Domata Peko Sr. has come to embrace during his 12 seasons as an NFL nose tackle.

The first-year Bronco has seemingly done so by choice,Authentic Ramon Humber Jersey but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t also a necessity.

When a player’s central role revolves around eating up double-teams and funneling opposing running backs toward defensive ends and linebackers,womens Preston Brown Jersey, the accolades tend to be few and far between.

You won’t find a nose tackle in the running for MVP — and you’d be hard-pressed to find more than a couple players at the position who are household names.Authentic Cordy Glenn Jersey,

That couldn’t bother Peko one bit.womens Colton Schmidt Jersey,

” Peko says. “Not being selfish, but selfless. That’s the name of a nose [tackle]. You don’t really get too much praise, too much glory, but you’re in there doing the hard work,“That’s definitely something I take pride in: being a selfless player, you’re grinding. You’re just making stuff happen for the other guys. I love doing that. It’s just something I grew up with,Authentic Mike Glennon Jersey, just being a humble dude and being selfless.”

the 6-foot-3,Over the course of his first season in Denver, 307-pound player has made “stuff happen” for his teammates on plenty of occasions.

though,The Denver rush defense is second in yards allowed per carry and third in rushing yards allowed per game. The improvement is stark from the 2016 season in which teams gashed the Broncos on the ground. Since last fall, the unit has jumped into the NFL’s top five rushing defenses after finishing 28th in 2016.

That success is due in no small part to Peko’s decision to join Denver after 11 years in Cincinnati.

The choice was not made lightly, but it was one that gave Peko a chance to rejuvenate his career in a new city and in a scheme he has often said better fits his game.

” Peko says. “I always believe in myself. Coming in here this year as a new player to a new locker room, I knew what was on my plate. I knew I had a lot to prove. I knew I had to show my teammates that they brought me in here for a reason: to stop the run and be stout in the middle of the defense. I thank God that I was able to do that and prove myself to my teammates. Every game,“I always have faith in myself, every practice, I’m still trying to prove myself. I’m still trying to show this league I belong here.”

In his 12th season, Peko did just that — and he’s on the cusp of achieving a level of success he hasn’t yet found.womens Eric Wood Jersey,

It wasn’t until Peko watched the Broncos’ buses pull away from UCHealth Training Center that reality sunk in.womens Ramon Humber Jersey,

After 123 consecutive starts, Peko would miss a football game following a knee injury he suffered against the Raiders.Authentic Colton Schmidt Jersey,

Peko watched that weekend as his streak — the NFL’s longest active stretch among defensive linemen — ended on an early December Sunday.,womens Cordy Glenn Jersey

just not being able to be out there with my teammates and be out there with my guys trying to win games, that’s what really hurt me,>Authentic Preston Brown Jersey,“For me,” Peko says. “Not being able to be out there for my teammates,','it sucked.”

though, as Peko returned in Week 15 during the Broncos’ “Thursday Night Football” game against the Indianapolis Colts. Peko’s jitters ahead of that game weren’t the same as they were during the first game of his rookie season,<
womens Mike Glennon Jersey,That feeling didn’t last long, but he admits he felt anxious before his first snap.

” Peko says. “I know that it’s just going to continue to get better, but yeah,“I really wanted to go out there and make sure I hit somebody and made sure my leg felt really good, it felt good to get back out there, and I’m excited to finish the season strong.”

When it concludes, he may have one final game to play.Authentic Jerry Hughes Jersey,

After a season in which he anchored the Broncos defensive line, he learned he’d been selected as a Pro Bowl alternate.Authentic Eric Wood Jersey,

As his career nears its conclusion, Peko may well have the opportunity to check off a bucket-list item.womens Jerry Hughes Jersey,

because it’s been one of the goals of my career, and hopefully I get there this year,“That would be bittersweet for me,” Peko says. “It’d be really cool. It’d be really awesome in Year 12 to get to the Pro Bowl.”womens Nick O'Leary Jersey,

While he’s hopeful he’ll find a way in if any players withdraw, Peko already has his Year 13 goal set: remove the alternate tag.

“It just gives me motivation to try to get the first ballot next year.”