Justin Bannan: NFL Career, Contract, Ashley Marie Shooting and 2026 Appeal

Justin Bannan is a 47-year-old former NFL defensive lineman who was sentenced to 16 years in prison for shooting acupuncturist Ashley Marie in Boulder, Colorado, in October 2019. Born Justin Lewis Bannan on April 18, 1979, he played for five NFL teams between 2002 and 2013, including the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos. During his football career, he signed a reported five-year, $22 million contract with Denver and appeared in 163 regular-season games. In September 2021, a jury convicted him of attempted murder and assault. The Colorado Court of Appeals upheld those convictions on March 26, 2026.

Justin Bannan Quick Facts

Who Is Justin Bannan?

Justin Bannan is a former American football player who spent 12 seasons in the NFL as a defensive lineman. He played for the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, St. Louis Rams and Detroit Lions.

Raised in California, Bannan attended Bella Vista High School before playing college football at the University of Colorado Boulder from 1997 to 2001.

He earned recognition for his defensive performances with the Colorado Buffaloes before the Buffalo Bills selected him in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft.

Following his retirement from professional football, Bannan became involved in business ventures in Boulder, including Black Lab Sports.

Justin Bannan's NFL Career

Buffalo Bills (2002–2005)

Bannan began his professional career with Buffalo in 2002. He appeared in 55 regular-season games over four seasons, primarily as a rotational defensive lineman.

He recorded 2.5 sacks during his time with the Bills before becoming a free agent.

Baltimore Ravens (2006–2009)

Bannan joined Baltimore in 2006 and spent four seasons with the Ravens. He played in 58 regular-season games and became an important part of the team's defensive line rotation.

His most prominent season came in 2008, when he started 15 games, recorded one sack and made his only career interception.

Denver Broncos (2010 and 2012)

Denver signed Bannan in March 2010, and he started all 16 regular-season games during his first year with the team.

The Broncos released him in March 2011. He subsequently spent the 2011 season with the St. Louis Rams before returning to Denver in 2012.

During his second Broncos stint, Bannan appeared in all 16 games and made 15 starts.

Detroit Lions (2013)

Bannan signed with Detroit in 2013 and appeared in three games before his release in September. The Lions were his final NFL team.

Justin Bannan's NFL Career Statistics

Bannan appeared in 163 regular-season games, making 72 starts and recording 6.5 sacks across his professional career.

Historical tackle totals vary between statistical databases and displays. NFL.com provides differing aggregate tackle figures depending on the version of its statistical table, while Pro-Football-Reference uses its own recorded tackle totals.

How Much Was Justin Bannan's NFL Contract Worth?

One of Bannan's most significant reported NFL contracts came in March 2010, when he signed a five-year agreement with the Denver Broncos worth approximately $22 million.

According to NBC Sports, the contract included $7 million in guaranteed money.

However, Bannan did not complete the five-year agreement. Denver released him on March 3, 2011, after one season.

At the time of his release, he was scheduled to earn a $3.5 million base salary for 2011 and receive a $500,000 roster bonus.

His contract illustrates the difference between the total value of an NFL agreement and the amount a player ultimately receives when the deal ends early.

Justin Bannan's Wife and Family

Public reporting confirms that Bannan has two children. His family circumstances were mentioned during his February 2022 sentencing, when the judge acknowledged the impact of his imprisonment on them.

Reliable public records reviewed for this article do not clearly establish his current marital status or verify the identity of a current spouse.

What Happened in the Ashley Marie Shooting?

On October 16, 2019, Bannan shot acupuncturist Ashley Marie at a commercial property in Boulder, Colorado, where she maintained a treatment room.

The incident occurred at a building on Frontier Avenue associated with Black Lab Sports, a business Bannan had co-founded.

According to the Colorado Court of Appeals, Marie arrived at work and began opening her office door when Bannan, who was sitting inside the room, fired a handgun and struck her in the arm.

Marie survived the shooting and received hospital treatment for injuries that were not life-threatening.

Police arrested Bannan without further violence. Investigators recovered two loaded handguns from his belongings and a rolled-up $20 bill containing cocaine residue.

Why Did Justin Bannan Mention the Russian Mafia?

Following the shooting, Bannan told Marie that he believed the Russian mafia was pursuing him.

He also made similar statements to investigators, describing fears that he was being tracked.

Authorities did not establish that an organized crime group was actually pursuing him.

The statements became relevant during the trial because Bannan's attorneys disputed his mental state at the time of the shooting.

Justin Bannan's Attempted Murder Conviction

Bannan pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and proceeded to trial in Boulder County in August 2021.

In September 2021, the jury found him guilty of four felony offenses:

• Attempted first-degree murder involving extreme indifference.
• Attempted second-degree murder.
• First-degree assault involving a deadly weapon.
• First-degree assault involving extreme indifference.

Some convictions were subsequently merged for sentencing purposes because they arose from the same criminal conduct.

The jury rejected Bannan's insanity defense.

Did Bannan's NFL Head Injuries Affect His Defense?

During the trial, Bannan's attorneys argued that repeated head injuries from professional football affected his mental functioning.

The defense raised concerns about traumatic brain injuries and possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease associated with repeated head impacts.

Attorneys also argued that prescription medication, including Adderall, had affected his mental state and contributed to his behavior.

Prosecutors disputed those arguments and maintained that Bannan was capable of forming the mental state required for the charged offenses.

The jury rejected the insanity defense. The proceedings did not establish a definitive CTE diagnosis or prove that football-related injuries caused the shooting.

Justin Bannan Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison

On February 10, 2022, Boulder County District Judge Norma Sierra sentenced Bannan to two concurrent 16-year prison terms.

The sentence was the minimum available under the applicable sentencing provisions.

During the hearing, Bannan apologized to Ashley Marie and acknowledged the harm caused by his actions.

Marie requested the minimum prison sentence, while prosecutors had recommended a longer term.

The court also considered the impact of the shooting on Marie and the consequences of imprisonment for Bannan's family.

Latest Update: Colorado Appeals Court Upholds Convictions in 2026

On March 26, 2026, the Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed Bannan's convictions in People v. Bannan, case number 22CA0477.

Bannan challenged several decisions made during his original trial, primarily concerning expert testimony, witness statements and the questioning of medical professionals.

His attorneys argued that restrictions on certain evidence had prevented the defense from fully presenting its case regarding his mental state.

The appellate court rejected the arguments and concluded that the challenged rulings did not justify overturning the convictions.

The judges determined that Bannan had been allowed to present substantial evidence concerning his history of head injuries and the alleged effects of medication.

Regarding a possible restriction on expert testimony, the court concluded that any assumed error was harmless because the defense had not demonstrated that the excluded testimony would have materially affected the case.

The court therefore affirmed the judgment entered after the 2021 jury verdict.

Where Is Justin Bannan Now?

As of November 10, 2026, the latest significant verified judicial development is the Colorado Court of Appeals decision affirming Bannan's convictions.

His 16-year prison sentence remains the confirmed sentencing outcome. The sources reviewed do not establish a subsequent reversal, resentencing or release.

His exact correctional facility and projected release date are not independently confirmed in the records reviewed for this update.

Justin Bannan Case Timeline

• April 18, 1979: Justin Lewis Bannan is born in Orangevale, California.
• 2002: The Buffalo Bills select him in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
• 2006: Bannan joins the Baltimore Ravens.
• March 2010: He signs a reported five-year, $22 million contract with Denver.
• 2013: His NFL career ends after a brief stint with the Detroit Lions.
• October 16, 2019: Ashley Marie is shot and wounded at her workplace in Boulder.
• September 2021: A jury convicts Bannan of attempted murder and assault offenses.
• February 10, 2022: He receives two concurrent 16-year prison sentences.
• March 26, 2026: The Colorado Court of Appeals upholds his convictions.

Conclusion

Justin Bannan played 12 NFL seasons between 2002 and 2013, appearing in 163 games for five teams and signing a reported $22 million contract with the Denver Broncos.

His life after football became the subject of national attention following the October 2019 shooting of Ashley Marie in Boulder, Colorado.

A jury convicted him of attempted murder and assault in 2021, and he received a 16-year prison sentence in February 2022.

The Colorado Court of Appeals upheld the convictions on March 26, 2026, leaving the original criminal judgment in place. That ruling remains the latest major verified legal development in the case as of November 2026.