Broncos history lesson
I read “Broncos overload,” letter writer Neil Nowak’s rant against Broncos coverage in the Rocky’s Aug. 11 Talk Back to the Media section and felt the need to respond.
Nowak obviously isn’t aware of the Broncos’ history in this town, so his ignorance is understandable. Let me educate him.
At one time, the only major sport in Denver was Broncos football. We had Bears baseball, but it was a minor-league team. Until the Denver Rockets were established, an ABA team, the Broncos were the only game in town. And for years we suffered with a losing team. From 1960 until a Monday night in 1973 in a tie ballgame against the Oakland Raiders, the Broncos never had a winning season. Denver fans remained loyal, but on that special night, we saw a turn in our fortunes.
Then came 1976 and the Orange Crush. Broncomania was alive and well and continues to this day. Two Super Bowl victories have little to do with it.
The Rocky Mountain Empire belongs to the Broncos. That’s how it is and that’s how it should be!
Thor Johnson, Arvada
Well said , and good memories Thor. Bronco football is as much a part of Denvers culture and history as Molly Brown and her coloful ways.
Crazy leg Johnson, Floyd Little, Bobby Mapples (a story in itself), The oricional south stands and the strutting robbn from Kansas City.
I remember seeing Fran Tarkenton and the purple people eaters come to town and play the Broncs.
Are the Broncos news worthy, a page one story? Yes in most cases yes.
Posted by on August 18, 2007 07:45 AMNice that you folks are all so warm and squishy about your beloved Broncos, as usual. But the news in this town has always been saturated with that team and the people have always kowtowed to the likes of Pat Bolen (remember his threat to leave Denver if we the taxpayers didn't pay an exorbitant amount for a new stadium -- and not just Denver city/county, but the whole metro area! As if we didn't have much more pressing priorities for that tax money! And Bolen could have probably just written the check himself if he cared about Denver that much. Anyway...)
As a Denver native for 50 years, I can enjoy a Broncos game as much as the next person (though I usually have something more important to do on game days, like the laundry or cleaning the lint out of my belly button), but I have never understood why a football team has to intrude itself into my life as a Denverite to the extent it does.
Posted by Tom on August 18, 2007 09:31 AMThis is preseason guys! Call me when the real thing starts. That will be legitimate news.
GG
Posted by GG on August 18, 2007 10:55 AMIt is my perception that we have less "page one" stories then in the past about the Broncos. The city of Denver is relatively better off economically with major sports franchises being here.
Posted by Brain on August 18, 2007 11:44 AMIn the big picture, it's just a game. On the other side, it's a great diversion from the crap that's going on in this crazy world. I guess we need these teams for our sanity, kind of a "time out" to relax.
A bit overdone and over the top at times,though.
Posted by c on August 18, 2007 02:39 PM