I got out my car ad called Kelly who is in from the U.K and has been in touch, so hopefully I will get to meet up with her before the game. I just so happened to park up next to a school bus that has been decked out in Bronco gear. I introduced myself and Derek was the main man that showed me around his great bus, which he owns with his parents and wife. Inside the bus the back door that says “Raiders suck” has player autographs all over it. Likewise the Denver Bronco table also had player autographs on them. They call themselves the “Mile High Duke-Sters” and they once won Denver Tailgaters of the game.
Throughout my trip I have noticed fans have been fun as well as being articulate but as soon as I take out my video camera, they shout and rant. I mentioned this to Derek and he says he could relate, as that is exactly what they did when they were nominated tailgater of the day in 2005. So I decided against taking the video camera out,haha.
They were all really friendly and gave me a drink. They also gave me two Bronco beer holders that keep your drink cold, which was really nice of them. They invited me to play their weekly game called “Left, Right, Centre”. Not the most creative of names, but it costs £3 to play and depending on how many people I could win around $80! I'm in! What do I have to do?
Derek called everyone out to play, and he put down two Broncos mats. We all sat around the mats, with 3 single dollar bills each tucked into the mat. You then roll three dice, on the dice there is either a dot, an L, an R or a C. Each die represents one of your dollar bills. So if you roll a dot, that dollar bill stays, L,means you slide one of your dollar bills to the left, R is the same but to the right and C means you throw you bill into the middle, which then becomes the winning pot.
I didn't quite understand the game at first but it was really fun and one stage I had 5 dollar bills, so I really thought I was going to win, but with my last few rolls, I rolled a few too many C's and ended up giving up the bills. I still came third though and everyone got really into the game. Still it would have been nice to win!
We took some pictures and I gave them a bunch of t-shirts. I was chuffed that most of them put their t-shirts on straight away. I said my good-byes to make my way to see Bronco Billy in section C. The sun was out and I made my way closer to the stadium. I noticed that there was an official tailgate party in an huge tent, but it was $8 to get in, which would be fine but it was already 12:30pm and I wanted to meet the tailgaters. I'm not sure what was inside the tents, but a lot of people were queuing, so something must have been exciting in there.
I found Bronco Billy and his friends some of which are on www.orangemane.com and we hung out for a while. They fed me up and I had a great burger. I had a little wander and found some other tailgating groups. All of whom were really friendly and were excited for me about my trip. Everyone was happy to have their picture taken, which was great. I saw one tailgate bus that had a specific menu just for this game. Another tailgate group had a huge BBQ on their tailgate, bigger than I have ever seen. There was also a posher group who were sitting down at a table with wine and cheese...and real cutlery!
One group allowed me on their RV and sit and have a look round.
As I was hanging out with Bronco Billy he told me he had come in from Chicago where he lives. He stays with his friend Miles and his wife who go to every Bronco home and away game, and have done so the last five years! Miles told me that it was his mission to see every stadium (seeing the Broncos play at each stadium of course) and he has about three years to go before the Broncos would have played at every stadium. They were also hanging out with Kevin, who “bleeds orange and blue” and helps run www.orangemane.com which is really cool.
Bronco Billy also has a friend with with him who hangs with this tailgate who dresses up in a pure orange tuxedo including the top hat!
I then noticed a tall man walk pass who was completely covered in orange. His face and bears were totally orange and he goes by the name of “Orange-Man”...naturally. He was an interesting and friendly man.
I made my way to one last tailgate group. There was a lot of people surrounding a huge RV and table. It turns out that this is owned by a company called “Famous Dave's” (www.famousdaves.com). They were giving out free “pulled pork” with their famous award winning BBQ sauce. Of course I had to try some and it was delicious. Apparently they have won over 300 BBQ awards and they come to every home Bronco game giving out free food to promote their sauce and restaurants. They had Bronco logos on their RV and other merchandise, so I assume they have some official link with the team. They gave me a fridge magnet, which was nice of them too. So if you have time check them out, I know I will if I go back to Denver for a play off game.
Karen from yourtailgateparty.com did not have any one she knows from the Broncos to meet with me before the game, but she said I would meet great tailgaters easily here., and I did just that! There was a great atmosphere in the tail gate and everyone was really friendly. People tried to feed me up and give me drinks. I'm sure when Karen gets a chance to come down here again she will find wonderful people for her magazine: Tailgaters Monthly.
It was soon about 40 minutes before kick off and I made my way to gate 9 where I was going to meet Bob, who is selling me his spare ticket. Whilst waiting for Bob there was band playing outside, which got the onlookers rockin' on. The drummer had a John Elway jersey on, and the number 7 jersey was the jersey I saw the most and he retried like 8years ago. I actually have a Broncos Terrell Davis jersey, which I probably should have brought with. I can easily get behind the Broncos because they play in blue and orange, the same as my beloved Bears.
I was really looking forward to seeing the game with a real fan. Bob met me and was really excited about my trip. I bought myself a programme and Bob got me a drink, which was nice of him. We got to our seats and I was really surprised how good my seats were. The face value of the tickets was nearly $80 so to only pay $50 was a steal. I did not actually buy any other Bronco merchandise but I still have my two Bronco beer coolers, so I'm going to have them as today's Bronco merchandise.
The players emerged from the inflatable Bronco supported by the cheerleaders and fireworks. We listened to the national anthem. The Bucs got a little bit of a boo when they came out. Talking of Bucs, I only noticed one Buc fan in the tail gate. I also happened to see a sign as I walking into the Stadium saying “Most Valuable Tailgaters”, with this weeks winner being the “the Brew Crew”. I never found them, but well done to ya guys!
Straight after the National Anthem, 2 fighter planes came roaring over head and into the distance. It was kick off time and our section soon filled up. I noticed a few empty seats around but not too many. The main thing that struck me about Invesco Field at Mile High is the wavy rooftop, it gives the stadium a really distinctive look. It's a beautiful stadium and it was a beautiful day, perfect for some football. A white horse named Thunder ran across the pitch with a an American flag and then the game got under way.
Bob got out his binoculars and sunflower seeds. Within the seconds this 50 year old man was like a kid again, cheering on his players. Bob is an intelligent man and articulate, but at the same time passionate about his team. He grew up in just outside Chicago, but is a Broncos fan because of Elway. The chap who sat next to me on my right, also grew up elsewhere and moved to Denver and then became a Broncos fan.
It was a defensive heavy game with both offenses struggling to find a first down. Jay Cutler the Broncos QB was trying to make something happen, but couldn't find the receivers. Jay Cutler has been able to fill the big boots left by John Elway. Originally Brian Griese took over from Elway , he was now playing on the opposing team today. He played for the Bears last year and he played too well against the Bears two weeks ago when the Bucs beat us.. I have always respected Jay Cutler, he plays with a lot of heart. When he scrambled he stood up to the tacklers and never took a slide, which I respect. This year I hope he does well. Last year he lost a lot of weight and discovered he has diabetes. My father was diagnosed with diabetes a couple of years ago, so I have an extra eye out for Cutler.
The fans never booed Griese. In soccer games at home a player that leaves for another club and then plays against their older club often gets booed. It was nice to see this did not happen. The Bucs drew first blood with a field goal. The Broncos replied quickly with an ambitious 55 yard attempt. It was good. I heard a boom! I then felt a rush of heat on the left part of my face. I looked up, and behind the Bronco that stands on it's hind legs on top of the stadium, flames were erupting and booming out. The flames caught me off guard. Fireworks is what I have become used to after seeing 9 home NFL games thus far, but pure flames, that surprised me!
Every time the Bucs passed the ball but fell incomplete the Bronco fans would chant “In-Com-Plete” really loud. It is not the most creative chant and I have not yet heard it on my travels, but it gets the job done and I'm sure it winds up the opposing QB. The Bronco's DJ then pumped out snippets to three songs, and the audience, by way of cheers had to vote which song they wanted to hear in the second half. “Brown eyed girl” won.
At half time it was six a piece, with both teams only scoring field goals. Still it had felt a lot more exciting despite the low scoreline.
Instead of a half time show, there was a ceremony. Gary Zimmerman who used to play for the Broncos was rewarded with a place in the Pro Hall of Fame. Again there was more fire and flames from above the stadium. Maybe they were just using up the left over fuel as it has been such a low scoring game?
The crowd in the second half were much louder. We began stomping on the ground and it the stand I was in is made of metal and you could really feel the vibrations. Naturally the crowd get a lot louder when the Broncos were on defense, and when the Bucs missed another pass “In-Com-Plete” was chanted, which was followed by the comic sound “wa-wa-wa” like at the 49ers.
We could feel a Touchdown coming. Cutler pulled back and threw a ten yard pass to Brandon Stockley for a touchdown, sending more fire out of the top of the stadium. It was around this point that the rain started to arrive. In the first half I was practically getting burnt from the sun, now I was hunched over protecting my camera, because I'm too stupid to bring a plastic bag with me!
Bob rather thoughtfully of him actually brought two raincoats, one for both of us. He does not even know me and he has leant me his Broncos jacket! How nice is this guy? Throughout the game Bob has been great, talking to me about the players, the difference between this stadium and the old Mile High Stadium and my trip. Although the Bucs scored a touchdown towards the end, the Broncos had 2 minutes left and moved the ball efficiently and ended the game by taking a knee.
The final score was 16-13, but it felt like the Broncos were really in charge of most of the game. Bob walked me back to my car in zone M and we saw the tailgaters who I had parked next to: The Mile High Duke-Sters. They were pleased to see us and we chatted about the game. The Duke-Sters are actually going to be going to the Atlanta game I will be at when they host the Broncos, so it will be great to see them there. Apparently they will be flying there, which will be a shame, because I'd love to see that Bronco bus there!
Bob and myself spotted two men painted in blood orange, and thier outfits were made of the stuff you make pom poms out of and they were covered from head to toe. They are fans like myself and come to every game like this. i had to have my pictture with them!On our way out of the stadium we noticed a rainbow over the sky, which was a fitting end to aperfect day out at football.
I gave Bob two t-shirts and he wanted to make a donation, but he has already donated to the cause by not only giving me a ticket at a cheaper rate, not only bought me a drink, but was a really interesting fun person to watch a game with. I will keep in touch with Bob and I hope to interview him for the site soon. Bob was really intrigued and impressed by the Duke-Sters and was happy meeting other great Bronco fans.
I had a great time at the Broncos today. The team can be really proud they have great fans and a beautiful stadium and pretty decent football club, that should get to the playoffs.
I checked my voice mail and I had a message from Kelly from the U.K who I never had time to meet up with. At the games and tailgate it is hard to hear my phone, and sometimes I am running around so much. So Kelly I apologise for not being able to meet up. Thanks for the message and I hope you had a great day like I did!
I was going to head into Denver and stay there, but I thought I better hit the road and get some miles done. Within two hours it was dark and then I saw a an actual bolt of lightning come vertically down from the sky to the ground. Maybe it was 5 miles way from the bolt and I was heading straight to it.
“Time to check into a hotel” I thought to myself. I did that and sat back and watched the Steelers take on the Jags. I also had NFL network on TV so I was able to catch up with all the games.
Pre-game
My 9th game takes me to Denver where the Broncos are hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both teams will be looking to squeeze into the playoffs, but it is very difficult for away teams to win at the Invesco Field, otherwise known as Mile High Stadium. This could well be a gruelling battle with teams fairly eveny matched.
Again I feel the home team will have the edge and will win this matchup.
