Doug Pensinger - Getty Images
over 1 year ago: DENVER - NOVEMBER 14: Miles the mascot of the Denver Broncos engages the fans as the Broncos face the Kansas City Chiefs at INVESCO Field at Mile High on November 14 2010 in Denver Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Cheifs 49-29. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
We always have those days in our lives that we remember.
Sports are funny that way. As a 20 year old Canadian, the biggest thing that gives me chills is watching the replay of Canada's overtime Olympic win over the USA in the gold medal game. I'll never forget the call of the play by play man.
"Crosby Scores!! Sidney Crosby! The golden goal!!!"
It was one of those moments that whenever I watch it I just cannot believe that I was a part of it.
You know, those "where were you" moments.
This Sunday for me will be one of those moments.
This sounds weird but this is the first Broncos playoff game I will get to see.
Ever.
I started to follow this team like I do now in 2006. It became a lot of fun and this team became my favorite thing. Through these years from 2006-2010, there was a lot of heartbreak and disappointment. I would brag to friends that our team, the Broncos, were going to be in the playoffs and their team wouldn't. Of course we would make the playoffs, we had multi-game leads in the playoff race with as many games to go.
Unfortunately things changed.
I'm sure all of you have a Bronco memory. Most of you have an Elway favorite moment and I am sure most of your favorite moments is the back to back Super Bowl championships. I do not have that. I do not pretend I saw Elway play.
This Sunday hopefully becomes something special for me. I always watch other playoff games in past years wishing I had a reason to cheer other than against teams I do not like or for players I do like.
I am not afraid of the Steelers. I feel the Broncos can beat any team because we have seen flashes this season of play over some teams that are pretty good. Like any team we are going through ups and downs and hopefully we have finished the downs.
Playoffs have such a different atmosphere. I have been to CFL playoff games and with a crowd of 30,000, it is electric when the game is in the dying minutes in a one score game. I can only imagine what Denver will be like this Sunday.
If you are going to the game, cheer loud!! If you are not or are on the fence, buy some tickets because we have learned these past six years that you cannot take the playoffs for granted.
I believe we can do this and I will be cheering loud from Toronto. But no matter what happens this Sunday, I will not forget this game and where I was. I cannot wait to see Tim Tebow and Elvis Dumervil and Champ Bailey lead the Broncos to an exciting final minutes and we will see what happens.
This will be one of my favorite memories in sports so far.
What is yours?
9 recs | 60 comments
Thanks Colby. Not any one play, or even the first playoff game (Pittsburgh 1977) stands out
but I do have tremendous memories of the fact that it was the Raiders who we beat to get to our first SB in ’77. That whole season was something right out of a Hollywood script right down to the fumble/non-fumble by Jon Keyworth at the goal-line against the Raiders. It was like there was somebody looking out for the Broncs that year…
rubincarterrocks - January 5, 2012
Fake Field Goal
Old Jim Turner catching a pass on a fake field goal and watching him score a touch down in his black high top shoes against the raiders and John Madden .
ultraclassic04 - January 5, 2012
metalman5050 - January 5, 2012
ya baby!
rubincarterrocks - January 5, 2012
Make those miracles happen...
I will never forget how beautifully crazy Denver was that year and I was only 11.
IdahoFalls4Broncos - January 5, 2012
Yell for me brother.
ThorpeBroncosfan - January 5, 2012
Was at a home game in 98
Broncos were still undefeated, Elway threw game winner to Sharpe vs the Cheifs, was the most amazing moment I’d seen. There were guys sitting next to me all bummed cause they had Dolphins tix 2 wks later, they were pissed cause the Broncos looked like they were gonna lose the whole game (think they were down 21 at one point). Guys were so excited when we pulled it out (thinking they were still gonna see an undefeated Bronco team go to Miami), of course Broncos lost to NYG the next week, I always think of those guys next to me and how let down they must have been.
NewEraNugg - January 5, 2012
Be sure to hang out at the South Stands Entrance (101).
The sculpture of the Broncos charging into the stadium always gets me fired up and gives me chills a little bit.
I’ll be in the 500’s for this game, west stands.
Get loud. Stay loud.
Go Broncos.
AZ.Orange&Blue - January 5, 2012
I will be at the west stand also..I WILL BE LOUD for sure.
OrangeBroncos - January 5, 2012
Everybody will be shocked
But not me. Like Colby said..we have shown flashes all year in all three phases. Lets rally and get it together for the playoffs. Pull the trigger baby!
CastorTroy - January 5, 2012
Still No. 1
My favorite moment was the first MNF game way back when Floyd Little was the RB and it was against the Raiders, the Broncos old nemesis. The game ended in a tie, but it was as good as a win for Broncos fans. After years of claiming the Broncos were just a player or two away from success, the game meant the Broncos were at last on their way. It was followed by a first Super Bowl appearance a few years later, then the Elway years with five more Super Bowls and two Super Bowl victories. Also high on my list were The Drive for the AFC Championship, The Dive or whirlybird by Elway for a Super Bowl victory, a second Super Bowl victory against former Broncos coach Reeves’ Falcons, and Elway’s retirement going out on top (unlike so many who hung on past their top).
OrangeandBluesBros - January 5, 2012
metalman5050 - January 5, 2012
First Playoff Game
I just got my tickets and booked a flight for my first playoff game at Mile High. I was there earlier this season for the Chargers game. I am so excited and thrilled to come back for a playoff game and will be as loud as possible! Looking forward to a huge win!
sfkelway - January 5, 2012
Big Ben aggravated injury, plans to play
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AmCxT9LAP3PnStvyqqOMfitDubYF?slug=ap-steelers-roethlisberger
Most of the Steelers fans on the blog are talking trash to the Ravens, obviously looking past Denver
artistnyc - January 5, 2012
The younger ones that don't know how sorry the Steelers were during their bad years are arrogant and feel entitled...
We’ll see Sunday.
bfree2bronc - January 5, 2012
careful
I’ve been condemned to hell on THIS BLOG by Steelers fans who were angry I even thought they could be arrogant, I hope they do enter a dark era, I’m tired of them. Oddly enough, the Colts, other than when they shellacked us, generally never bothered me. I respect Peyton and the like, I’m probably a #18 fan wherever he goes, I respect and admire the heck out of him.
the new Bradfather - January 5, 2012
Love the Colts, I thank them for John Elway...
rubincarterrocks - January 5, 2012
Favourite Moment
The ELWAY HELICOPTER was my moment….I won’t be going to the game but you will hear me cheering all the way from Toronto!! Broncos win 17-13 and shock the world!!
milehighinTO - January 5, 2012
metalman5050 - January 5, 2012
That was my favorite moment as well TO.
And I have been a fan since the first game I ever remember watching, the 1990 Superbowl embarrassment against the 49ers. There have been alot of good moments in the years I have been a fan, but the Helicopter is by far the one of which I am most fond.
the_prodigal_fan - January 6, 2012
Elway's ROFLCopter
Agreed! That was a great moment and I still have that picture cycling as my computer wallpaper…:)
MoB.DeadMeat - January 6, 2012
I'm in the same boat Colby.
I became a fan around 2002-2003 when i was 16 and my early memories of this team were the Colts always seeming to kill us in the playoffs. The most embarrassing play I can remember for the Broncos is in a wild card game against the colts and Manning completes a pass to a diving receiver around the middle of the field. All the broncos think the play is dead but no one actually touches the receiver, (can’t remember who) so he calmly gets up and continues running to the end zone. Can’t remember if he scored but he tacked on a good 30 yards after the catch and it was embarrassing. Best memory though has been our one playoff win against the pats and Champ picking off Brady and going 99 yards to the (almost) house!
I can’t believe i’ve been a bronco fan for roughly 10 years and I’ve only seen one playoff victory. God I hope that changes on Sunday. But the good news is on Sunday I can change my signature. I root for the Blue Jays, Raptors, Leafs, and Broncos and the last time I saw one of my teams in the playoffs was in 2008 (raps 1st round loss). 4 years since I’ve seen playoffs. Crazy considering two of those teams play in leagues where half the teams make it. Even longer was the last time I saw playoffs beyond the first round which was in January 2006 when Denver played Pittsburgh in the AFC championship game. PLEASE WIN DENVER. I MISS THE PLAYOFFS!
Eddie.Teach - January 5, 2012
Yeah I remember that play, it was Harrison and I do believe he scored, it was really embarrassing.
One of my favorite moments was when Champ picked Romo off on Thanksgiving for a TD.
Automatik41 - January 5, 2012
I take it you like the Argos too?
the new Bradfather - January 5, 2012
Same here Colby
I’m Canadian and got assign to Colorado Springs for a few years (2009-11). Watched every game since and truly got hook the first game I saw live. That was the home game opener against the Brown in 09. Oh yes, Brady Quinn was the QB for the Brown that game.
macklure - January 5, 2012
Your starting a new era and I believe we've just begun...
bfree2bronc - January 5, 2012
metalman5050 - January 5, 2012
A game of no real significance that I can remember.
One of my favorite memories is when the Broncos were playing the seahawks, back when they were in the same division. I don’t remember what down it was, or how far they had to go. All I remember is the seahawks blitzed. A linebacker came free up the middle to Elway and was about to level him. Elway ducked and the guy when over the top, but the pocket was collapsing and he didn’t have anywhere to go, he couldn’t even step into his throw. He looked up and hit Shannon Sharp on a 40 yard bomb, flat footed. Sharpe ran the rest of the way for a TD.
How and why did you become a Broncos fan if you don’t mind me asking? It seems a bit odd that a guy from Toronto would root for the Broncos, especially since they weren’t anything spectacular back then, I mean, you haven’t even seen them in a playoff game yet and you’re still rooting for them. That shows you’re not a Bandwagon fan, that’s for sure.
go4broncos - January 5, 2012
Toronto
Can’t speak for Colby but I started liking the Broncos in 84, and I honestly think Elway had that effect on people….Growing up in Toronto, most people I knew liked either the 49ers (Montana), the Dolphins (Marino), Bears (Defense), Giants (L.T) or the usual suspects (Cowboys, Steelers, or Bills because of how close we are) but I definitely made the right choice…Broncos for life!!
milehighinTO - January 5, 2012
The Day I Bought Some Bronco Fans
The first moment that comes to mind was the Super Bowl win against the Packers. I was living in Tennessee at the time and I was watching the game with a bunch of friends who were not Bronco fans (some not even football fans). I told them that if they cheered for the Broncos and the Broncos won, I would treat them all to ice cream after the game. They all agreed and all of a sudden, I had Bronco fans surrounding me. Best money I ever spent.
MidTNBronco - January 5, 2012
That's an awesome story!
If ya can’t find ’em, buy ’em, LoL
PearlJamBroncoGFunk - January 5, 2012
Thanks!
It really does make a difference to experience a sporting event with people who are also rooting for your team. Since I am in the same boat for this Sunday’s game, I may be buying more ice cream. : )
MidTNBronco - January 5, 2012
Maybe
Bring some Twizzlers, Hersheys (with and without almonds) and Pixie Stix. That way you got all the bases covered.
It does make a huge difference watching a game with other people rooting for Our team. I’ve noticed, if I watch a game with opposing team’s fans, it’s not their fault directly, but I just don’t enjoy it as much (and every time I end up doing so, We lose, so that has to factor in to my feelings on the subject). I miss living in Colorado so much.
PearlJamBroncoGFunk - January 5, 2012
God, I miss Colorado too, a fact which was the inspirtation for my handle.
the_prodigal_fan - January 6, 2012
Expensive tickets (whistles)
Loved how Coach Fox was suggesting that Broncos fans with tix not sell them to Steelers fans. I personally appreciate that sentiment being stated by Our head coach. I’m sure I’ve heard Bowlen say as much in the past, but it is encouraging to hear nonetheless.
My first Broncos playoffs experience was Broncos vs. Oilers, where Elway out-Elwayed Warren Moon. Which, of course, is the only logical thing that should’ve happened anyway ( ;
…. I was a young ’un then.
PearlJamBroncoGFunk - January 5, 2012
metalman5050 - January 5, 2012
Really nice writeup, Colby.
I imagine Canada beating the United States for you is the same as when the United States beat Russia. It was amazing and is maybe still the greatest moment in US Olympic history.
If the whole Broncos team shows up and they play like they did against the Patriots before the turnover-itas took over, I think they will have a very good shot at beating Pittsburgh.
CompUser - January 5, 2012
great post colby
i became a bronco fan in 95 because my brother is a raiders fan and i asked him which team he hates the most lol and since then i have been hooked i was lucky to enjoy the 2 superbowls and shannon sharpe and terrell davis what a team and on sunday i will be cheering as loud as possible lol my kid thinks i am nuts on sundays when i yell at the tv and i will be cheering from EDMONTON ALBERTA CANADA GO BRONCOS GO
ogtv - January 5, 2012
Go Broncos and Stamps
you probably don’t approve of my CFL team, but Calgary is closer to Utah than Edmonton!
the new Bradfather - January 5, 2012
I'll say it the same every time
The Elway 3rd and 6 helicopter run…best. Bronco. memory. ever. That was the play where I KNEW we were going to finally win that ring. Typing it gives me chills. All you had to do was see his eyes. I think the whole team felt it right at that play. It was the most uber-motivating moment in team history.
sadaraine - January 5, 2012
Kind of a Tebow moment for Elway
The Dive, whirlybird, or helicopter was awesome!
OrangeandBluesBros - January 5, 2012
It is the Broncos-Oilers
1992 playoff game, Charlie Jones was doing play-by-play, it was so freaking epic, loved every minute, other than when we trailed 14-0, my first really vivid postseason memory was when we beat the Pats at home, it was the year we lost to the Giants
the new Bradfather - January 5, 2012
metalman5050 - January 5, 2012
Enjoy the game.
I have watched nearly every game since the 77 super bowl (on tv) and I go to as many games as I can (I live 70 minutes from the stadium), but I have only been to one playoff game. It was the 98 game against the Dolphins at the old mile high. Neil Smith had a 80 yard fumble return for a TD to rub salt in the wound of a 38-3 rout. It was great. To be honest though all of my best memories were at the old stadium. Eddie Mac catching a last minute touchdown to beat the chargers. Rod Smith catching his first ever ball for a touchdown to beat the Redskins. TD’s first 100 yard game. I used to have pretty good luck back then I guess. Hopefully we start to get some of that old vibe back and I hope it starts against this Steelers team.
Go Broncos!
AttwaterForHOF - January 5, 2012
It's the Patriots-Raiders
January 19, 2002 in the snow at Gillette – New England beats Oakland in the most surreal football game I’ve ever seen.
The real beauty of the victory was that Oakland got to experience a controversial football game – from the losing end. On Dec. 18, 1976 a phantom roughing-the-passer call (by Ben Dreith) on Pats defensive tackle Ray Hamilton resulted in a 24-21 Raiders victory with Oakland going on to win the Super Bowl. Replays clearly showed no infraction on the play, the game turning on a referees call (instead of the Raiders being forced to punt the ball back to the Patriots with N.E. up 21-17, the bogus call put the ball on the Pats one yard line – 1st and goal for the Raiders), the game essentially being handed to Oakland. Conversly, in the Snow Bowl, the Patriots had to play some incredibly gritty football to pull out the win.
Every time I hear a Raider coach, player or fan whine about the tuck rule loss in the snow – I smile and say to myself “see how it feels”. Payback is a bitch.
profootballfan - January 5, 2012
I don't think this is why
as much as when I became a Bronco fan. I’m pretty sure I would have ended up one sooner or later. When I was 8 and living near Englewood, the Broncos started becoming a big deal. I was helping a friend on his paper route and one of his customers was John Ralston the Broncos coach. I helped with his route a lot, hoping to meet him and he would give me tickets or something. Never happened. I love my Broncos, but I have only been to 4 games live. To me, and I’m not sure when this started happening, the best part of being a Bronco fan is the come from behind victories that seemed impossible. Now we have that feeling again and IT IS AWESOME. The best one of all time to me was when SD was lining up for the game winning FG and Dennis Smith blocked it. However a timeout was called so they got to try it again AND HE BLOCKED IT AGAIN. This time Louis Wright ran it back for a TD.That was my favorite impossible win.
Digger24 - January 5, 2012
Great job
Born in Co Springs in ’79 and a Bronco fan all along I have many memories of Elway and Dennis Smith/ S. Atwater cracking guys heads! One memory I have is Vance Johnson getting his pony tail ripped off as he ran down the sideline against I think Cleveland and they showed the back of his bleeding; never forget that play even if I got the opponent wrong!
I now live in Spokane, Wa. And just bought a plane ticket and a nosebleed seat (509) to my FIRST EVER Bronco game!! I don’t have a job and I’m spending basically the last of my financial aid from college on this but I can’t wait!!
God Bless and GO Broncos!!
Broncolove - January 5, 2012 via mobile
*back of his head bleeding
Broncolove - January 5, 2012 via mobile
I became a Bronco fan out of pure randomness.
I was 7 or 8 and started collecting football cards. Elway was in his 3rd season and wasn’t at his best yet but was already a big name. I opened my first pack of cards and his card was right there on top. I didn’t know anything about football yet, but I was a Bronco fan from that moment on. It’s been my favorite team of any sport ever since. Only problem is that living in South Dakota I’ve got to constantly contend with annoying Viking fans…or Chief fans. Yuck! Best moment was Elway’s helicopter scramble or his march against the Browns.
SD guy - January 5, 2012
SD, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming
is a big area with no Pro teams.
Digger24 - January 5, 2012
South Dakota is Broncos Country......
Those poor, ignorant Vikings and chiefs fans just don’t know it is all!!!!!!
blackhillsbronx - January 5, 2012
First Bronco playoff game for me as well
Didn’t become a true fan till the 08 season
Whosbob89 - January 5, 2012 via iPhone app
I became a fan the year they lost to jacksonville
i was only 9-10 years old. But my first memories of the Broncos were the back to back super bowl years(What a way to come in huh?) Orange and Blue were my favorite colors before i even knew about the Broncos.
But after watching the Broncos in the super bowl i began to follow them more and more. I was still young so id didnt follow them as much as i do now, but the last 4-5 years of my life have been Bronco football.
The 06 season i believe was the last time we made the playoffs and it was truely my first as a Bronco fan. So excited for sunday to come
Scotty Payne - January 5, 2012
My fondest memories include...
1. SB 32…so many moments there from the Helicopter to Mobley knocking down 4th and 6 to the announcer yelling, “Can you say Denver is in the lead?!!!” after TD gets his TD making it 31-24.
2. Elway to Sharpe on 3rd and 6 in Pittsburgh to seal the deal vs. Kordell and the Steelers.
3. Payback vs the Jaguars en route to a SB win
4. Elway to Rod Smith after Atlanta missed FG in SB33…that was the moment I knew it was Denver’s game.
5. Me watching game at OAK this year as Tebow, McGahee and the Broncos shut up the entire stadium that had been chanting, “Tebow Sucks” all day long.
6. Champ Baileys pick 6 on Brady as the Broncos gave Brady his first ever playoff loss.
7. Steve Atwater blowing up Robert Brooks?…and Another Broncos DB at same time in SB32. Just the sheer effort Atwater put forth all day long was pure awesomeness at its finest.
8. The comeback vs HOU in 1992 I believe…I was only 10 yrs old then but remember Houston killing us in the reg season and then Elway coming through in the clutch during playoffs in that game.
9. Neil Smith rumbling 70 yards or so in the playoff game vs Dan Marino and the Dolphins and TDs awesome juke of a MIA DB en route to the end zone. 38-3 Broncos
10. Elways final lap around Mile High with the AFC trophy after beating Parcells and the Jets
11. Tebow’s 17 point comeback vs the Texans in his first home start. Gave me the feeling that the Mile High Magic was finally back for the first time since Elway was taking that lap around old Mile High. The cameras were Shaking, the comeback was magical, the team played like a team… Even the worst Bronco D in history made a game-saving turnover to end the game with B-Dawk and Squid combining for the INT off Schaub.
12. Every other Broncos win…they are all great memories!!!
knoepke84 - January 5, 2012 via mobile
We share the same number 1 :) Stopping GB on 4th down was sheer ecstasy....we really did it!
Broncotodd - January 6, 2012
Greatest Memories
1- Helicopter 3rd and 6 during SB 32
2- Rich Karlis game winner in the 86 AFC championship game “The day my blood turned orange”
3- Getting out of Church in Longmont as a kid wishing I could cross the street and join the sea of orange waiting for the RTD to pick them up for the Broncos ride.
4- Eating Taco Bell every Sunday and watching the game with my Mom on the living room floor in front of the wood panel TV.
5- Hearing about the guy that is living in a billboard downtown until the Broncos finally win.
6- Christian Okoye meets Steve Atwater mic’d up.
7- Brian Bozworth vs. John Elway
8- Ed McCaffery pointed in the face of his blocked opponent.
9- Elway vs. Montana (Chiefs)
10- Terrell Davis (enough said)
11- Naked Lady painted blue riding a horse downtown.
12- Several Hundred fans greet the Broncos at DIA after losing super bowl 23.
13- Champ Bailey picks off Tom Brady in the first playoff game at Invesco field.
14- The Barrel Man!
15- The Drive!
16- Walking down the ramp at Mile High Stadium after losing to the Jags in 1996. I call it the darkest hour before greatness.
17- Orange Sundays
18- Going From 1-4 to making the playoffs during Tebowmania
19- Watching Tebow show Faith, Love , and Hope to a kid with terminal cancer on the sideline.
20- Attending the first Playoff game at sports authority field at Mile High and watching the last game the Broncos wear Blue as the primary home jersey.
Here is to another 30 years of memories………
Nativefan7 - January 5, 2012
Rec'd
the_prodigal_fan - January 6, 2012
Wish I had been there for #11!
Broncotodd - January 6, 2012
Lots of good ones. Rec'd
OldStrike - January 6, 2012
The most recent big one was game 6 of the NLCS last Fall.....My Cards got to the Show.
Possibly the greatest game ever played in MLB post-season.
Broncotodd - January 6, 2012
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