Nov 14, 2008 5:20 am US/Mountain
New Denver Couple Leaves Chiefs For Broncos
Written By Brooke Wagner
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) ―
-
-
The Wiegmanns bought a home in Aurora, but have also kept their home in Kansas City.
CBS
For one of Denver's newest couples, winning is a way of life. Casey Wiegmann is the Broncos' new starting center. His wife, Danni Boatwright Wiegmann, won "Survivor: Guatemala."
"I grew up hating the Broncos as a kid, so it's really weird to be here and to love it. The people are awesome the Broncos organization has been great," Danni said.
The dynamic duo moved to Denver from rival Kansas City. As a veteran center, Casey started 111 games for the Chiefs. He took over for an injured Tom Nalen for the Broncos this season. Casey said the team welcomed him warmly after his hometown of Parkersburg, Iowa, was decimated by a tornado.
"Coach Shanahan stepped up and asked people to give money, because the NFL was going to match so much. It happened like a week after I got here and that means something when a coach gets up when your team doesn't even know you yet," said Casey.
Danni has also been an athlete her whole life. Besides winning "Survivor," she's been a sports journalist and host, an international model and Miss Kansas, U.S.A. The couple married in 2007, after one of Casey's teammates introduced them. Danni immediately jumped in to help make this year's Broncos Wives' Food Drive a success.
"We're both fanatics when it comes to sports, so that works out well," Danni said.
The accomplishment the Wiegmanns may be most proud of is one-year-old son, Bo.
"Casey is the best dad. He's so good with (Bo)," said Danni.
"It's more special than I ever thought it would be," said Casey. "I look forward to coming home to him after work and spending some time with him before he goes to bed. It's more than I thought it would be. But, we think he might be a farmer, because he loves tractors. He's not into balls or anything right now."
Bo might not be a sports fanatic just yet, but his mom sure is.
"I send him texts every night and it drives him crazy, but it makes me feel better and I also told him that I claim a Super Bowl victory sometime in the next year or two!" said Danni.
Casey has said his wife spurred him not to retire, but to join the Broncos and fight for the championship.
"I really have to hold back sometimes after a loss. He acts better than I do," Danni said.
Danni credited her competitive nature for her Survivor win.
"I didn't want to move to L.A. and be a big star or anything like that. Even afterwards, I didn't really push it that much. Everyone tries to ride off that 15 minutes of fame. I just wanted to go compete, I love to compete," she said.
Danni was hosting a sports radio show in Kansas City when she decided to audition for Survivor. Her family members and husband are all fans of the show.
While shooting in the Guatemalan jungle, the five feet, ten inch tall former model lost 30 pounds.
"Even last night, she was complaining about how much food (the new Survivor contestants) were eating," said Casey.
"Oh, they ate a lot of food, and they were complaining and I was like, 'Oh, Lord, you have no idea until you eat maggots,'" Danni said. "When you come back, you realize what's important and how much stuff you don't need. We are so spoiled, but to go for 40 days without any electricity, any of the amenities you have back home, you come back ... and I could live in a tent and be happy!"
The Wiegmanns bought a home in Aurora, but have also kept their home in Kansas City.
"We love Denver," said Danni, "It's a good fit."
(© MMIX CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Click to enlarge
Company Offers Banana Coffins
Bulldozer Rampage: 5 Years Later
Slideshow: Colorado's Weirdest House
Stumble It!
Reporting
