What made you a Bronco fan?

[ErectivusMcBootysmack]

What's up kids, newbie here. Entertain me on your odyssey of Bronco fandom. I'm sitting here in Douglas County and a friend told me about this board. I was sitting in the nosebleeds in 518 yesterday enjoying that beating.

[CBF1]

Moved to Colorado in March of 1977.... Great timing if you ask me and YES I do take some credit for the rebirth of the Broncos and the Orange Crush :)

[Jens1893]

Oh, well, this might be just about the oddest story on here as I wasn´t born a Bronco fan like some or wasn´t even born a football fan and you have to consider we didnt even get the Super Bowl live until 1995 or so. I firmly remember watching the first half of the San Francisco/SD SB on a scrambled screen as I didn´t subscribe to the channel back then. Anyway, I got interested in football in about 1993-1994, when I was 12-13, as my dad sometimes watched NFL highlight shows and we also got some games live, like the NFC CCG between SF and Dallas when Dallas went on to hand the Bills their 4th straight Super Bowl loss. I didn´t really have a favorite until that faithful day in the January of 1997 when I saw a summary of the game in which the mighty AFC #1 seed Denver Broncos got upset by the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars, who only were in their second or third season. Kinda feeling sorry for Denver I more or less became a Bronco fan that day.

Football games before the day I found a team for myself that still stick in my mind today are the San Diego @ Pittsburgh AFC CCG and the Chiefs getting upset by the lowly Colts thanks to Lin Elliott.

[Florida_Bronco]

Actually when I was like in preschool...I liked the Broncos uniforms lol.

That's where it all started. After that I came to love Elway, Atwater and many others. It evolved from liking their uniforms to becoming an all out fanatic.

[RhymesayersDU]

My dad was born in Denver, always loved the Broncos, went to the big games, etc. When I was 7 or 8, or whenever I really became aware of things, TV, etc, my dad one sunday told me "Son, we're rooting for the guys in orange."

The rest, they say, is history. I cried over a loss once, I've been thoroughly dissapointed (griese years) and completely overjoyed. (see: 4th down play against Packers in super bowl) I love this team and this game.

[ozomulsion]

My Dad is a Chief. That made me become a Bronco fan very very early in my life. We lived near Kansas City and there was something I just didn't like about Chief fans. The End. Go Broncos :thumbsup:

[Jens1893]

My dad was born in Denver, always loved the Broncos, went to the big games, etc. When I was 7 or 8, or whenever I really became aware of things, TV, etc, my dad one sunday told me "Son, we're rooting for the guys in orange."

The rest, they say, is history. I cried over a loss once, I've been thoroughly dissapointed (griese years) and completely overjoyed. (see: 4th down play against Packers in super bowl) I love this team and this game.

Are the Broncos one of the reasons you are going to DU?

[jebures]

I started likeing them when I was 5 years old after the 55-10 Super Bowl, I guess I felt sorry for them and liked their uniforms. It has all grown on me in the 15 years since then and now I live and die by them, whether they win or lose sets the tone for my entire week.

[Rausch]

KC needing SD to lose.

I feel.....so.....dirty.....

[Lidderer]

http://www.jsonline.com/packer/sbxxxii/image/0408/plummer4897.jpg

[gunns]

My mom got me watching football, around 5. I don't remember having a favorite early on although I loved Jim Brown, Joe Namath, the fearsome foursome and Roman Gabriel. Then in my teens in 1970 an NFL preseaon game was going to be played in SLC and me and my mom went. It was the Broncos and Boston Patriots. I loved the Broncos, who won, and have never looked back.

[OrangeShadow]

i didnt really have a favorite until TD got onbaord denver ever since ive rooted for em

[watermock]

Moved to Denver to go to DU and it was '77...wasn't hard for this HornHead to pick up an AFC team, considering the entire town had BroncoMania Fever so virilent that it was pretty hard not to catch it, plus after watching the Purple People eaters, I had allready developed a taste for a good defense. Hard to believe that was almost 30 years ago now.

[RhymesayersDU]

Are the Broncos one of the reasons you are going to DU?
Well yes and no... I picked the school that I felt most comfortable at, which was DU... However, with that said, part of being comfortable was really liking the big city atmosphere, having professional sports teams, having a nightlife, etc.

So, I didn't come here for the Broncos, but indirectly I'd say, they were a factor, as was the whole city of Denver itself.

[phillybroncosnut]

I was 4 years old and kept hearing this guys name on the TV.... Randy Gradishar. After every play I kept hearing "Randy Gradishar makes the tackle". I started running around tackling my sister, my Dog, chairs, hampers, etc, and I would get up and say, I'm Randy Gradishar and I'm an Orange Crush.
My parents ran out and got me a Gradishar jersey that Christmas and I've been a die hard ever since.

[ozomulsion]

I thought Sammy Winder was the best thing since sliced bread. I was a broco fan before that but I just turned the corner after watching Winder. I became a fan when I was 5. That would be 1982. :Broncos: :Broncos:

I'm an OSU alum so this is why I defend Bell and Williams to the end. It pissed me off so bad when the Mane melted down after we drafted Darrent. I tried to tell everyone he was special but not many folks believed me. It's not the size but the size of your heart.

[rodr88]

I was a senior in high school (Montrose), fall of 77. We had lived in Colorado for several years, but I never really payed attention to the Broncos. Then they were playing the raiders in Oakland, both teams were 4-0 Denver kicked their butts that day. After the Broncos picked stabler for the 5th or 6th time that day I said something like "all right". My dad hated the Broncos and told me I could be quiet. Typical 17 year old, if it pisses the old man off it's a good thing. Been a Bronco fan from that moment on.

Paybacks are rough, one son is a Bronco fan, one son a cowpies fan and the youngest is a faiders fan. He isn't speaking to me today.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Other than the fact that I was born in Denver durring a Broncos 44-28 win against the Falcons, and have been watching them since before I could walk, I guess I have no reason to cheer for the Broncos.

[Bronx33]

Born and raised in denver i was 12 years old in 77 and my old man was a major tailgater back then, my love for the broncos came naturally with birth and a father who was a bronco fan.


plus he taught me to hate the raiders with all my heart..:militia:

[eddie mac]

One person, John Elway. 1st time I saw him playing I said I'm a Bronco.

[Clockwork Orange]

Lived just about my entire life in Colorado, being a Bronco fan just came with the territory.

[Hogan11]

The almighty FLOYD

[-Slap-]

I grew up in LA, so I was a Rams fan, but I was fascinated by three things about the Broncos. In ascending order of importance: great fan base, the Color Orange, those badass linebackers.

http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/denver/TJacksonDen.jpg http://images.art.com/images/products/regular/10108000/10108343.jpg http://www.denverautographs.com/images/RIZZO.JPG http://www.denverautographs.com/images/SWENSON.JPG

I started rooting for the Broncos in 1976 and I dropped the Rams completely a few years later when they moved out of the Coliseum.

[Bronco Rob]

Born in Denver and started watching Bronco games with my Grandfather when I was 5, been a fan ever since.

[Pendejo]

I was born in that S hole Greeley, CO. My dad is one of those original Broncos fans...so the writing was on the wall for me at birth. It didn't hurt that when I was like seven the Donks traded for a certain pigeon toed rocket armed quarterback. Things just progressed from there.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

My parents. The merciless tyrants made me and my brother attend every game in the 60s (I missed some in '69).

[TD4HOF]

Big brother and I were going through football cards sometime in '83 when I was 8 years old, saw old White Shoes and that uniform. Then The Man came along and it was all over. Absorbed unending grief from the neighborhood toughs, being the only Bronco fan for miles around. When we finally won it, guys I hadn't seen in years were stopping by like I was Brando, "you're a made man now, you stuck up for them all those years."

[MajikMan7]

What made me a Bronco fan? My uncle did.

I started to follow football in 1991 Majkowski and Elway were my two favorite QB's (and 7 was my favorite number) I unlike all the other Bronco fans here in Wisconsin, was actually a true Bronco fan way before they whooped the Packers ass in the Super Bowl. I'm very competive when it comes to sports and like to push peoples buttons, as you can see (so I didn't enjoy cheering for the same team as my dad) . So by the time Favre ****ed Majkowski over, my uncle from Colorado had already converted me into a Bronco fan. I cheer for two teams every Sunday, the Broncos and who ever is playing the Packers.

[SAGE]

My mother liked John Elway.
She felt sorry for him in his first game as a Pro, when he lined up under the wrong center, and she always cheered and rooted for him even though she is not a Bronco Fan. (Charger Fan from the Dan Fouts era)



But I didn't become a diehard until TD arrived.
I grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same highschol.

[Rock Chalk]

1984, San Diego @ Denver.

Fantastic battle between a very young Elway led team and Dan Fouts led Charger team. Fouts had Kellen Winslow who was in top form and some other people whom I dont recall but seemed pretty good.

Elway was in his like 2nd year I guess and was still pretty raw. There wasn't a lot of flash from him but every now and then in the game you would catch little glimpses of greatness to come. Anyway, what made me a fan is this game. I mean, ithad everything from good defense to big plays to clutch play making on both sides.

This game ended on 2 consecutive blocked field goals. The chargers were set up to win the game, they go for the FG and its blocked!!! Even at my young age I knew that this was pretty rare so I was like "Wow!" but oh no! A penalty.

I dont even remember what penalty it was but the Chargeless got another chance and sure as **** Denver blocked it again, this time NO penalty and Louis Wright recovers it and runs for a TD to win the game.

I mean, who the hell WOULDNT fall in love with the team after watching that as your FIRST full game?

I believe that I am not alone in having this very game and moment solidify my fanship to the Broncos on this board. If I remember correctly, Taco John and one other person also became fans from this game.

[JAPS]

The 2003 regular season game at indy. I became a fan of Jake and followed Denver ever since

[Rock Chalk]

The 2003 regular season game at indy. I became a fan of Jake and followed Denver ever since
New fan eh? Welcome aboard bud.

[Bronco LB 59]

My father was stationed at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center from 1981-1984 so I lived in Aurora for three years.

[JAPS]

New fan eh? Welcome aboard bud.

Thanks Alec. Actually, I've lurked a long time before I finally registered in Nov'04. Here's to discuss football with you guys for a long time

[kappys]

Grew up in NJ, son of immigrants who didn't watch or understand the game football.

Started watching games at about age 7 by myself, and got heavy into it; though I was forced to watch the very successful NY Giants at the time.

You know how kids randomly pick one player as their hero in a sport? Mine was Simon Fletcher. To this day I can't say exactly why, but I think it's because the guy was pure heart. Been a die hard Broncos fan ever since.

[Bronco Bob]

What's up kids, newbie here. Entertain me on your odyssey of Bronco fandom. I'm sitting here in Douglas County and a friend told me about this board. I was sitting in the nosebleeds in 518 yesterday enjoying that beating.

Grew up in Colorado and it was basically root for the home team. The first Super Bowl sort of fixed it for me, even
though they lost to the Cowboys. And they have been competative enough through the years to keep me interested.

[Spider]

Iwas in A car accident ........... ;D seriously though been a fan since 72 grew up with the bastards

[Steve Shields]

One person, John Elway. 1st time I saw him playing I said I'm a Bronco.
SAME FOR ME,BROTHER! ELWAY WAS THE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

[meangene]

I grew up as a military brat and never lived anywhere more than a couple of years so I never really had a "home team". I became fascinated with the Broncos in the 70's with the advent of the Orange Crush. I loved the small, fast defense, the college-like game atmosphere, great fan base, etc. I've been obsessed ever since. Living in Virginia, NFL Sunday Ticket was a huge thing in my life!

[broncoblue]

1982...highlights started in england..needed a team,cousin lived in denver and told me and my late dad we had to be broncos....OUTR LOVE GOT MORE AND MORE ..and now with the sattlellite tv and internet ,my love is intense and ive learned more about broncos and nfl in general since i started on this the greatest board on the planet.....resulting in my trip last year where i met blue damsel,meck and disco to name but a few.....GOD BLESS BRONCOS AND BRONCO FANS WORLDWIDE.

[JPEZ]

My Grandpa! My family has been in Colorado since the early 1900's and we have supported the Broncos since day one of the organization!
I was born into Broncomania! :Broncos:

[Meck77]

Born at Mercy Hospital near City park in 1974. Lived here from 1974-1983. That was enough to get me hooked. Moved back in 2000 so I could get back in the stadium on a regular basis. Visiting once a year or every other year just wasn't cutting it. I decided one day to quit my job. I was talking about leaving for awhile but one day I had enough and decided to just leave. I didn't even tell my current girlfriend of my plans right away. I didn't want anyone trying to delay or stop me. I started having garage sales and sold most of my stuff. I bought a Dodge Truck and and a 5th Wheel travel trailer that sits in my yard to this day. Lived in it for 9 months when I first got to Denver. Moved here in July of 2000 got settled in and managed to keep that ole 5th wheel working thru the coldest November in Denver history. It's been the funnest 5 years of my life.

More of you should move back home. If you really have the Broncos fever than this is home to you.

[halfcreek]

Lived in Denver and started following them in 1960.

[Archie]

Discovered pro-football the superbowl after my first pee-wee season. Rooted for the "purple" team over the "black and white" team. That was my first instance of hating the Raiders. The following season ('76) I started watching the Bronco games on Sunday - what damn luck. After the Broncos went to Oakland and handed them the 30-7 surprise win I was delivering newspapers the next morning (back in the day of a real paper delivery kid - I was about 10) I had my radio with me and KOA kept playing the chants of 10,000 people in Stapleton terminal yelling "we're number 1". THAT sents chills down my spine and I've been a die hard Bronco fan ever since....

[sirhcyennek81]

I really dont know how i became a bronco fan. I grew up in Virginia and North Carolina, only got to see denver games when they were on national television. My mom grew up in colorado, but she never really pushed it. My brothers got into the Broncos before I did, that might be why.

[El Guapo]

I actually grew up in el paso, Tx and EVERYONE i know is a freakin Cowboys fan. Anyways, every summer my family would travel up to denver (since I was born) to visit my mom's sister and their family. One year my dad, being the huge cowboys fan that he is, decided he wanted to go to Broncos training camp because there were a lot of former Cowboys coaches/players on the Broncos that year. His main intent was to bring up old times and get their autographs, which he did -- and it was interesting listening to my dad talk to them about the cowboys (I was 5 at the time).

Anyways, this tall man happened to walk by and he saw me standing there.. he grabbed a football as he was walking into the locker room, signed it and gave it to me. It was awesome cause then he put his hand on my head and rustled my hair and told me, "Maybe someday you could do this." My dad immediately grabbed me and was in shock and asked me if I knew who that was. It was John Elway. That moment on I became the biggest Broncos fan in Texas. My dad regrets taking me to this day. :laugh:

[Archie]

Awesome story!!

I actually grew up in el paso, Tx and EVERYONE i know is a freakin Cowboys fan. Anyways, every summer my family would travel up to denver (since I was born) to visit my mom's sister and their family. One year my dad, being the huge cowboys fan that he is, decided he wanted to go to Broncos training camp because there were a lot of former Cowboys coaches/players on the Broncos that year. His main intent was to bring up old times and get their autographs, which he did -- and it was interesting listening to my dad talk to them about the cowboys (I was 5 at the time).

Anyways, this tall man happened to walk by and he saw me standing there.. he grabbed a football as he was walking into the locker room, signed it and gave it to me. It was awesome cause then he put his hand on my head and rustled my hair and told me, "Maybe someday you could do this." My dad immediately grabbed me and was in shock and asked me if I knew who that was. It was John Elway. That moment on I became the biggest Broncos fan in Texas. My dad regrets taking me to this day. :laugh:

[El Guapo]

Awesome story!!

thanks! Its something that I can still remember as if it were yesterday. :charge:

[No1BroncoFan]

I loved the Colorado Rocky Mountain area and in 1976 (I was seven) I found out Denver had a team. They've been my team ever since.

Ben

[Master___Pain]

1984, San Diego @ Denver.

Fantastic battle between a very young Elway led team and Dan Fouts led Charger team. Fouts had Kellen Winslow who was in top form and some other people whom I dont recall but seemed pretty good.

Elway was in his like 2nd year I guess and was still pretty raw. There wasn't a lot of flash from him but every now and then in the game you would catch little glimpses of greatness to come. Anyway, what made me a fan is this game. I mean, ithad everything from good defense to big plays to clutch play making on both sides.

This game ended on 2 consecutive blocked field goals. The chargers were set up to win the game, they go for the FG and its blocked!!! Even at my young age I knew that this was pretty rare so I was like "Wow!" but oh no! A penalty.

I dont even remember what penalty it was but the Chargeless got another chance and sure as **** Denver blocked it again, this time NO penalty and Louis Wright recovers it and runs for a TD to win the game.

I mean, who the hell WOULDNT fall in love with the team after watching that as your FIRST full game?

I believe that I am not alone in having this very game and moment solidify my fanship to the Broncos on this board. If I remember correctly, Taco John and one other person also became fans from this game.

Holy ****!! Alec, that is my first Broncos memory too. Weird. I love friggin Louis Wright.

[Cleo McDowell]

when i started grade school. i started playing organized football. football became my life, id sleep with a football under my arm and dreamed about catching passes in the NFL one day.

as often as i can remember we would also play pickup games in the neighborhood, and turned one of the kids down the street didnt really live there, just stayed with his uncle frequently,Simon Fletcher. So we'd go down to the house, hang out in the front yard, get our footballs signed and play all day.

i think it was 86. I was from denver, loved football, was freinds with #73's nephew and it all came together.

[Bronco Rob]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maverick_7
I actually grew up in el paso, Tx and EVERYONE i know is a freakin Cowboys fan. Anyways, every summer my family would travel up to denver (since I was born) to visit my mom's sister and their family. One year my dad, being the huge cowboys fan that he is, decided he wanted to go to Broncos training camp because there were a lot of former Cowboys coaches/players on the Broncos that year. His main intent was to bring up old times and get their autographs, which he did -- and it was interesting listening to my dad talk to them about the cowboys (I was 5 at the time).

Anyways, this tall man happened to walk by and he saw me standing there.. he grabbed a football as he was walking into the locker room, signed it and gave it to me. It was awesome cause then he put his hand on my head and rustled my hair and told me, "Maybe someday you could do this." My dad immediately grabbed me and was in shock and asked me if I knew who that was. It was John Elway. That moment on I became the biggest Broncos fan in Texas. My dad regrets taking me to this day.


Mav, awesome story!

PS: Cowboys do suck.

[REB]

That was an awesome story Mav!

I was a Steeler fan as a kid like a lot of kids were at the time. It seemed like you either rooted for the Steelers, Cowboys or the home team (Eagles). At the age of 15 I asked myself why I was a Steeler fan and there was no real reason except they were winning all the SB's at that time. I asked myself if I could pick one place in the whole country where I could live where would that be. I've always loved the mountains and always fascinated with the ol' wild west so I chose the Broncos and never looked back. That was 1980 so it's been a quarter century now and I will die a Bronco fan.

1-2-3-:Broncos:!!!!!!! :charge:

[SoCalBronco]

Late 1991. I was in the sixth grade. Was with a couple extra kids after class helping the teacher clean up some glue and paper crap all over the room. The teacher, Ms. Eldred, showed her gratitude by letting each one of us have a football pencil. There were three of them, a Broncos, Raiders and Jets pencil. For some reason, I picked first. I was very enchanted and enamored with the look of the old Denver logo with the large Orange D with the horse bellowing smoke out of its nose. There was something about it that had inherent value over the other two logos. Cant put my finger on it, but there was definitely some kind of special feeling there, some kind of intrinsic value i immediately noticed when I looked at it. I really liked it. I then took the Broncos pencil and started making an effort to watch their games every week and learn the wonderful sport of football.

[-Slap-]

Late 1991. I was in the sixth grade. Was with a couple extra kids after class helping the teacher clean up some glue and paper crap all over the room.
coughbrownnosercough

[SoCalBronco]

coughbrownnosercough

Yes, its true. I was a kissup. ;D

[Spider]

Hell , out of state Bronco fans ( not including Wyoming , Colorado dominates us in everything ) impress me the most ............ Guys like So Cal ,Slap, LABF,Mock , Elsid , Garcia Bronco reppin the Broncos in non Broncos country ........ Pretty stand up ......

[Wes Mantooth]

What's up kids, newbie here. Entertain me on your odyssey of Bronco fandom. I'm sitting here in Douglas County and a friend told me about this board. I was sitting in the nosebleeds in 518 yesterday enjoying that beating.
Born Pueblo (P-Town). Really liked them when I got two Bronco Rookies autographs.... Vance J. and Karl M. at the mall. Plus I think its on my birth certificate.

[REB]

"Was with a couple extra kids after class helping the teacher clean up some glue and paper crap all over the room."

Sure SoCal. You sure it wasn't sniffing glue and rolling papers?...... ;)

1-2-3-:Broncos:!!!!!!! :charge:

[minibronco]

It's a really weird story. Nobody near me is a Bronco fan. Except my fifth grade teacher.

Really weird story. My fifth grade teacher has all this Denver merchandise hanging around his room and he brainwashed all of us.

Hahaha. Now I know more than him. And he doesn't recognize me anymore. Wutever.

Welcome to the Mane.

[brncs_fan]

I'm not for sure about an exact moment that I became a Broncos fan, but my parents tell me that I started liking them after watching them play in Elway's first season. I just liked them and wanted all Broncos stuff and was enamored with Elway. The funny part was that my dad is a chiefs fan. I am pretty sure that had nothing to do with my decision, its just a funny little annecdote.

Some meries that I have growing up a Broncos fan was learning to hate the raiders early after listening to an annalyst say that the key for the Broncos season was to beat the Raiders. I remember crying during the 89 superbowl sometime in the late fourth quarter as the announcers for the game said the Broncos were on the verge of the worst defeat on super bowl history (I was 8 at the time). I remeber asking my dad if Okeye would be ok after Atwater put him on his ass (he mumbled something with shut up in it and something else). And the shear joy I felt watching Favres pass fall to the ground sealing the Broncos win. I jumped up with my hands in the air and put two holes in the ceiling.

[ErectivusMcBootysmack]

Since I started the thread, I figured I'd share my dirty little secrets. In fact some of you may not like my story of how I came to like Denver.

I recently moved to Colorado from Maryland because I love the area and the mountains. I have family and a few friends who have deep roots in the Denver metro area over many years. In fact, for a brief period of my childhood I lived in Englewood and my mother actually met John Elway while I was in a school gymnasium during a basketball practice and I still remember how pissed I was she didn't get us out of the gym to meet him. Apparently he was there seeing one of his kids in a school play. Anyway, here's the dirty part. I was - and to some extent, still am - a Ravens season ticket holder and big fan (I warned you, didn't I?). So now that cat is out of the bag.

The question many of you might be asking yourself is why the hell would I entertain the thought of rooting for a 2nd team, let alone a pseudo-AFC rival like Denver? The only explanation I can offer is that, during a home game at Invesco Field, I did everything in my power to stay "impartial" and not cheer for anyone, when finally, I snapped. I couldn't suppress the desire to just join 75,000 other people behind a common cause. I guess I sort of liked the camraderie of being a "home town fan." Sure, the fact the Broncos were winning helped, but I really think it had more to do with feeling like I was part of the community like everyone else.

As you might guess, the Ravens/Broncos game was conflicting for me. I have tons of memories watching the Ravens at M&T/PSINet, so I can't just turn my back on all that. However, I also can't deny how much fun I had being just another person in the crowd at Invesco chanting Raiders Suck throughout the game either (were you one of them? Ha.).

I still haven't figured out a respectable way to integrate myself into Broncomania fully. Any suggestions?

[-Slap-]

Some meries that I have growing up a Broncos fan was learning to hate the raiders early after listening to an annalyst say that the key for the Broncos season was to beat the Raiders. I remember crying during the 89 superbowl sometime in the late fourth quarter as the announcers for the game said the Broncos were on the verge of the worst defeat on super bowl history (I was 8 at the time).
I cried during that Super Bowl, too. I was 25 at the time. The source of my anguish was that I thought I was going to run out of tequila before I passed out.

[REB]

Iwas in A car accident ........... ;D seriously though been a fan since 72 grew up with the bastards

Your Ford blew up again when you hit 40mph spide? :)

I might be able to switch allegiances if spider was to establish a pro team. He could call them the Cheyenne Chevy's........ Like a rock....lalala :)

[Clockwork Orange]

I still haven't figured out a respectable way to integrate myself into Broncomania fully. Any suggestions?

Since you were already a part of a loud "Raiders suck" chant, just do ten Hail Elway's and ten FU KC's and you're allright.

[brncs_fan]

I cried during that Super Bowl, too. I was 25 at the time. The source of my anguish was that I thought I was going to run out of tequila before I passed out.
Quote of the night though was my dad trying to console me, especially since he was the one rubbing it in earlier in the game not realizing how out of hand it would get. He told me, "Don't worry. Elway is young and he will win one before he quits."

[brncs_fan]

Anyway, here's the dirty part. I was - and to some extent, still am - a Ravens season ticket holder and big fan (I warned you, didn't I?). So now that cat is out of the bag.
Get out

[sirhcyennek81]

Living in pittsburgh in 1997, broncos come to town for the afc championship game, my brothers went to downtown pittsburgh for the fan day the broncos had that week. sea of gold and black, and two kids in bronco jackets down there. that reason alone my brothers got atwater, shanahan and mccaffrey signatures.

[brncs_fan]

Living in pittsburgh in 1997, broncos come to town for the afc championship game, my brothers went to downtown pittsburgh for the fan day the broncos had that week. sea of gold and black, and two kids in bronco jackets down there. that reason alone my brothers got atwater, shanahan and mccaffrey signatures.
Was with some people from my high school on a trip to D.C. when we stopped at Pittsburg to get some breakfast. Stepped off the bus and I recieved some very odd looks from everyone else at the place we ate. Had it not been a buffett, I would have been cautious of how my food came out. Ate my food and got back on the bus. It was at the moment that I sat down that I relized I was wearing my Elway Jersey and the Broncos had just Beaten the Steelers 3 days before that.

[Wes Mantooth]

It's a really weird story. Nobody near me is a Bronco fan. Except my fifth grade teacher.

Really weird story. My fifth grade teacher has all this Denver merchandise hanging around his room and he brainwashed all of us.

Hahaha. Now I know more than him. And he doesn't recognize me anymore. Wutever.

Welcome to the Mane.
we must have went to the same school.

[minibronco]

we must have went to the same school.

hahaha. I doubt it.

[orange crusher]

I grew up in a small town and everyone was a Dolphins fan because they won back to back super bowls around the time when football was starting to become interesting. Damn, I guess I'm showing my age. Anyway, I called myself a Dolphin fan for a little while. I was young and it was probably the thing to do to fit in, although it really makes me feel very dirty to admit it now. I guess it wasn't very satisfying being a Dolphin fan because I started finding myself cheering against them.

My brother lived in Denver in the mid 70's and he either already was or he became a huge Broncos fan. I'd go there with my parents a couple times each year when I was younger. On Sundays the whole family would watch the Broncos game. I think it would have been hard not become a Broncos fan watching the games with him. The guys I remember from the time were Chavous, Alzado, Screamin' Rubin Carter, Odoms, Dolbin, Armstrong, and the LB's of course.

From that point on, my soul belonged to the Predominately Orange. I was spoiled a year or two later and got to see them in the Super Bowl. At the time, I think I thought that was going to be an annual ritual. It took a while to get back and when they did it was heartbreaking. But it was all worth it when January 25th, 1998 rolled around.

My brother passed away and never got to see them get over the hump. I do know he had one big smile on his face the day they finally did though.

[-Slap-]

Quote of the night though was my dad trying to console me, especially since he was the one rubbing it in earlier in the game not realizing how out of hand it would get. He told me, "Don't worry. Elway is young and he will win one before he quits."
Dad was half right.

[-Slap-]

Anyway, here's the dirty part. I was - and to some extent, still am - a Ravens season ticket holder and big fan (I warned you, didn't I?). So now that cat is out of the bag.

I still haven't figured out a respectable way to integrate myself into Broncomania fully. Any suggestions?
Burning all your Ray Lewis crap would be a good start.

[Crushaholic]

I grew up in Wichita, KS (about 3 hours southwest of Kansas City). Around 1981 or 82, I decided that I wanted to learn about football and I wanted to listen to a game. I couldn't get the radio signal from KC, but I could get KOA. I listened to a Broncos game. I really wish I remember who was playing the Broncos, but it slipped my mind. Anyway, I gradually became a fan that season. When John Elway entered the picture a season or two later, that REALLY cemented it for me. It also helped that my dad's best friend from college lives out in Denver, so we took frequent trips there when I was growing up.

[toad]

Mine may be the craziest route to fandom:

Fantasy Football.


I'd never watched much NFL until 2 seasons ago. I'd casually/socially watch the SuperBowl and a MNF game or two but not really into it (I was a big college fan).

So 3 seasons ago I started playing Fantasy Football and, although I had no clue, I was hooked. I only won 1 or 2 Fantasy games that year but it got my juices flowing on watching the NFL.

2 seasons ago (the next year) I returned to Fantasy with a passion for the NFL game, but no team to "root" for. That season I had 2 Fantasy teams and ended up with 2 Bronco players: Plummer as my QB on one team, and Portis as my RB on the other (whom I took with the #3 overall pick in that draft).

So just by following my 2 Fantasy teams I found myself watching all the Bronco games I could see and generally following the team to keep track of Plummer and Portis.

Low and behold, I became a Bronces fan to this day.

I also pull for the Panthers in the NFC as they're the closest thing I have to a "hometown team."

But the Broncos are my #1 NFL team.

[Mile High Shack]

rather simple story

I grew up in Montana and my brother is about 14 years older than me and was living in Colorado and he got me a Denver Bronco shirt in 1982 and for some reason I was hooked

I remember watching a MNF game that a team had to lose for Denver to make the playoffs and they had Craig Morton in a booth somewhere watching the game and they kept showing him all the time b/c Denver needed that team to lose and he would wave to the cameras

I dunno, one of my first memories of watching a Bronco type thing

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Grew up in midwest and was always an old NFL fan- mostly Packers and Lions fan. Knew from a very early age that I would leave the midwest and move to the mountain states. So when the goofy AFL was born, I adopted Broncs as my AFL team. When I moved to Denver after I got out of college in 1972, Broncs became THE NFL team for me. I really am much more of a college ball fan and cheer for Broncs first, then spend most of my available energy watching college games,

[Elway 4 Life]

Born in englewood, co. and lived in the springs for almost 15 years. I think I was born with a bronco helmet on my head. I do remember the first game I saw on tv. It was the superbowl with dallas and morton was screwing up and my dad was calling for his head.

[jonny1]

Since we are sharing dirty secrets, I grew up a 49ers fan (lived in the Bay Area), then lost interest in football when we moved to Colorado Springs in 1964 (talk about showing your age).

Moved to Denver in 1972, and starting watching the NFL again in 1974, became sort of a Broncos fan, became more of one during the player rebellion against Ralston, then of course 1977 sealed the deal.

[ErectivusMcBootysmack]

Burning all your Ray Lewis crap would be a good start.

Desecrate the jersey of the best MLB of all-time. Not likely my friend!

I have a rule. If Denver and Baltimore meet, I will not choose sides.

[Mile High Shack]

Desecrate the jersey of the best MLB of all-time. Not likely my friend!

I have a rule. If Denver and Baltimore meet, I will not choose sides.

oh my

I find it a complete impossiblity to be a Ravens and Broncos fan

especially calling hatchet man the best MLB of all time

Mike Singletary, Dick Butkus, Ray Nietschke, all might have something to say about that

[ErectivusMcBootysmack]

Hatchet man? Don't even get me started on the trial.

Mike Singletary, Ray Nietschke? Great players, but inferior to Lewis. I'll give you Butkus as a potential candidate. Of course I'm very biased, since I've watched Ray Lewis take over entire football games from the MLB position for so many years. I'll admit he's lost something since the 2003 season. You're also forgetting one really big name on that list named Jack Lambert.

[Rascal]

LOL!!!

Ray Lewis best MLB of all time. Singletary and Butkus would eat him alive.

[Smiling Assassin27]

Met Haven Moses in 73 at a tennis tournament with Cowboys, Rams and Steelers. He gave me all kinds of Bronco stuff, jersey and visor, and it was decided (was vascillating between broncos and rams). Lawrence McCutcheon (also there) was kind of a di*k and i renounced my allegiance to the Rams after that.

[Rascal]

Been a fan since I knew what football was. Grew up in Colorado and watched the broncos religiously every week since I can remember.

[FantomForce]

Born and raised in colorado and refused to jump the fan wagon after the three Super Bowl losses, not to say that I didn't have the tears flowing as a little kid growing up. But unlike many of my friends I remained true to the Orange and Blue

[tornado927]

I was born in Denver in '75, remember watching MNF with my father (who was a Steeler fan) and fell in love with the Orange Crush! Vance Johnson and the rest of the Three Amigos were my idols early on before that wonderful monday night when Atwater knocked Christian Okoye 4 yards backwards. When we moved back east to NY and Denver played the Giants in SB XXI I was hazed to no end in school. When they lost to the Skins in XXII I cried...convinced they would never win a SB. My mother yelled at my father "See what you have done?! You have made football entirely to important to a 12 year old boy!" What the hell did she know anyway? :loopy:Took a vow of silence during SB XXXII, convinced I could do something to help them win. I cried again after that game...for a different reason this time, and knew I could die a happy man. SB XXXIII was just the cherry on top! Until this year anyway!

[JimmyT]

I am Southern PA guy who grew up with all of the following....Redskins fans, Colts fans, Steeler fans and Eagles fans. When I was 7 years old my family drove to Colorado to visit my Aunt and Uncle. I told my aunt that I liked the Broncos so she took me to Lyle Alzado's restaurant. At that point I was 99% hooked.....when I was a sophmore in High school I went to my first NFL game which was Denver vs. Baltimore Colts Elway's rookie season. It was the scariest yet greatest experience in my early life.

Like many of you older fans, I hung in there during all of the SB loses and practically exploded when we finally won the big one!

[Dagmar]

2004, opening day vs KC. Griffin has a big game. 34-24. I had a belter of a day, my brother in law took me to his bosses apartment in Fort Collins, Co, to watch, his boss was a KC fan...spent the season trying to learn as much about the NFL as poss...and here I am. I love the Broncos.

That and I have spent my entire America part of my life in Co.

Edit: As an afterthought... I knew I was moving to the USA around the TB/Faid SB. Decided if I was gonna start watching I might aswell start with a SB. Stayed up all night and then instinctively rooted against the Faid. TB were underdogs I think, so I wanted them to win. My Faid hate was born...

[Rock Chalk]

Hatchet man? Don't even get me started on the trial.

Mike Singletary, Ray Nietschke? Great players, but inferior to Lewis. I'll give you Butkus as a potential candidate. Of course I'm very biased, since I've watched Ray Lewis take over entire football games from the MLB position for so many years. I'll admit he's lost something since the 2003 season. You're also forgetting one really big name on that list named Jack Lambert.
Ray Lewis isnt even a top 5 all time MLB.

[BarefootKicker]

I grew up in Fort Morgan, CO (went to elementary school with the hottie that is broncos cheerleader Kollette Klassen. She was actually my "girlfriend" in the fifth grade :laugh: )

anyway....been a diehard ever since. had a John Elway halloween costume. My dad took us to training camp in greeley every year. One year, Simon Fletcher and Rich Karlis played catch with me and my dad for a few minutes.


moved up to the Seattle area and now I'm indoctrinating my fiance into Bronco Fandom...can't wait to have a kid to the legacy lives on!

:Broncos:

[ErectivusMcBootysmack]

Ray Lewis isnt even a top 5 all time MLB.

http://www.80stees.com/images/products/Family_Feud-Tee-shirt.jpg

[Rock Chalk]

http://www.80stees.com/images/products/Family_Feud-Tee-shirt.jpg
You're the only ****ing idiot around here dipstick.

Ask around.

[ol number 7]

One person, John Elway. 1st time I saw him playing I said I'm a Bronco.

Moved with my high school buddies to Denver in 1981. Morton, Moses, Lumpy Hyde, Keith Bishop, Gradishar were the BOYS. First game Bronco's defeat Tom Flores and the Raider's. We had a tradition of going to PT's whenever the Broncos won. But what really did it. Red Miller picked me up hitchhiking and gave me a ride home. Talked football with ol Red. Haven't looked back since.

[ErectivusMcBootysmack]

You're the only ****ing idiot around here dipstick.

Ask around.

You're the one who said Ray Lewis wasn't even a top 5 MLB. Not me. I didn't force you to say it.

[Crushaholic]

Mike Singletary, Dick Butkus, Ray Nietschke, all might have something to say about that

Along with this guy, Bill George...

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=73

[Dr. Broncenstein]

Born at Mercy Hospital near City park in 1974. Lived here from 1974-1983. That was enough to get me hooked. Moved back in 2000 so I could get back in the stadium on a regular basis. Visiting once a year or every other year just wasn't cutting it. I decided one day to quit my job. I was talking about leaving for awhile but one day I had enough and decided to just leave. I didn't even tell my current girlfriend of my plans right away. I didn't want anyone trying to delay or stop me. I started having garage sales and sold most of my stuff. I bought a Dodge Truck and and a 5th Wheel travel trailer that sits in my yard to this day. Lived in it for 9 months when I first got to Denver. Moved here in July of 2000 got settled in and managed to keep that ole 5th wheel working thru the coldest November in Denver history. It's been the funnest 5 years of my life.

More of you should move back home. If you really have the Broncos fever than this is home to you.


I've got this feeling that when all is said and done, I'm moving back as well. I was born in Westminster in 1977 and lived in Broomfield until 1985. Some of my earliest memories involve going to Mile High. My parents moved us to OK in 1985, but we've been diehard Bronco fans forever.

[LordHelmchen]

I didn't come in touch with football until the last game of the 98 season, when TD broke the 2000 yard barrier. A former GI who married a german girl started to date a former girlfriend of me, and they met at my place occasionaly. We got along very well, and he introduced me to the game. He explained the rules to me and everything and then we played some Madden. I took the Broncos and thanks to TD managed to get not totally blown out. So TD became the first player I really noticed and I read up on him. The migraine story and everything made me a fan. The game that got me really hooked on football was the wildcard game when Steve Young threw that 25 yard TD to TO with 3 seconds left to beat the Packers.
Ironically in every game I saw in this playoffs I was rooting for the team that was playing the Broncos.
I became a Broncos fan during the 99 season. Imagine that, I saw John Elway in his last game, winning the Superbowl and was rooting for the Falcons! :gus:

And thus, in my career as a Bronco fan, I had to endure Griese, TD's career cut short by injuries, 3 playoff losses in which the Broncos never put up a fight and so on...

I think you can imagine that I'm absolutely thrilled about this year!!!!

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Along with this guy, Bill George...

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=73

Ray might not even be the best to play in Baltimore. How about Mike Curtis?

[BroncoBuff]

I was in the 3rd grade at Holy Trinity Elementary School on 73rd and Federal (Irving) in Westminster. Our friends the Schiolas had three kids who were fans, and they were older than me, so I figured it must be cool. Tom Schiola told me about John Scarpitta and Billy Van Heusen and he gave me this wall poster:

. . . . . . . . . http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/9864/broncowallposter8ab.png (http://imageshack.us)

Then, Broncos QB Pete Liske spoke to us at Holy Trinity maybe a month or two later . . . the rest is H I S T O R Y ! - Actually, I remember Steve Tensi and Steve Ramsey as QB's when I first was a fan - I just liked Pete Liske because he was Catholic. I think he's the AD at Toledo now.

Plus I loved CU, and Bobby Anderson had just gone from CU (who finished #3 in the nation after beating Penn State) to the Broncos to team with Floyd Little.

(Hey! I never said it would be INTERESTING, did I?)

[BroncoBuff]

moved up to the Seattle area and now I'm indoctrinating my fiance into Bronco Fandom...can't wait to have a kid to the legacy lives on!

:Broncos:
Hey, Barefoot - Taco John lives in Vancouver, WA I think too. And Goobzilla is up here somewhere near us as well.

[broncoholic]

I was born in Denver 38 years ago...my family has had season tickets since 1965....I haven't missed a Bronco game in my entire life!. Being a Bronco fan is in my blood.

[ErectivusMcBootysmack]

Ray might not even be the best to play in Baltimore. How about Mike Curtis?

Yeah, Mike Curtis* won Defensive Player of the Year twice and won the Super Bowl MVP, leading his team to the fewest points allowed in a 16 game regular season history.

* code name for Ray Lewis

[JAPS]

Geez, Erect has an opinion. What's wrong with that? ray-ray was scary good and it's not his fault age caught up with him. I don't see the reason for name calling. Shows bad up on bronco fans

[crazyhorse]

Desecrate the jersey of the best MLB of all-time. Not likely my friend!

I have a rule. If Denver and Baltimore meet, I will not choose sides.

Last time I saw Ray Lewis, he was crying on the sideline with a bloody nose. He claimed that the Chiefs were double teaming him on every play, as Madden and company showed how he was getting beat one on one. Of course, not only was he a non factor, KC ran straight at him the whole game and beat the Ravens down by running almost exclusively at Ray-Ray.

Do you think Lawrence Taylor was ever punked like that?

It's tough to convince me he's one of the greatest when what I've seen is him throwing a fit and crying to the camera.

He's like one of those kids you knew growing up that would stomp around telling everyone how much of a badass he was, until Poindexter busts his ass in front of the whole school.

Since the KC game I dont think anybody really takes him seriously anymore. I mean....do you?

But hey, the pregame antics are cool. He is the perverbial "dancing chicken" for the Baltimore Ravens.

[F**kOakland]

You could say it is a family tradition. My 80 year old grandma is the Broncos biggest fan!

[Orange_Beard]

Walking up to Mile High for my first Bronco game......
Hooked.

[bfoflcommish]

1984, San Diego @ Denver.

Fantastic battle between a very young Elway led team and Dan Fouts led Charger team. Fouts had Kellen Winslow who was in top form and some other people whom I dont recall but seemed pretty good.

Elway was in his like 2nd year I guess and was still pretty raw. There wasn't a lot of flash from him but every now and then in the game you would catch little glimpses of greatness to come. Anyway, what made me a fan is this game. I mean, ithad everything from good defense to big plays to clutch play making on both sides.

This game ended on 2 consecutive blocked field goals. The chargers were set up to win the game, they go for the FG and its blocked!!! Even at my young age I knew that this was pretty rare so I was like "Wow!" but oh no! A penalty.

I dont even remember what penalty it was but the Chargeless got another chance and sure as **** Denver blocked it again, this time NO penalty and Louis Wright recovers it and runs for a TD to win the game.

I mean, who the hell WOULDNT fall in love with the team after watching that as your FIRST full game?

I believe that I am not alone in having this very game and moment solidify my fanship to the Broncos on this board. If I remember correctly, Taco John and one other person also became fans from this game.

I was at that game...8 years old and I still remember it.

LOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUU

[BMF Bronco]

I was branded with the D at birth!!!!!

[SteveTensi13]

I didn't even like football growing up. But in 1978 everything changed. I was bored one Sunday afternoon and watched a Bronco game with my brother. I remember watching Craig Morton playing and thinking 'man, he looks old!' (of course I was only 13 years old everyone over 20 looked old)The Broncos, of course, won and I started watching the rest of the season. Then in 1979 I became a rabid fan. I turned my ex-wife into a Broncomaniac and my current girlfriend!

[hades]

I've been a fan since 1973, when I moved to Colorado. Even got me a Bronco tattoo on my leg! My whole family are Bronco fans, and my Grandma passed away just after the Broncos won their first superbowl, literally hours after it.

[hkbroncos]

Coming from Hong Kong, football is a round ball got kicked around. I went to U of Wyoming and started to learn how to watch football game. I became a Broncos fan the year they went to the first Superbowl. I moved to Boston for graduate school the same year Elway arrived, but I stay a die hard Broncos fan. After I returned to Hong Kong in the early '90, I missed Broncos because nobody here care about football. Thanks to Internet, I can follow Broncos everyday now.

[broncosteven]

My dad worked 2 jobs 7 days a week I would see the games on TV & play like I was Floyd & we would pass by Mile High to pick dad up on the weekend job, I would always ask to go but we could not afford it.

My mom was pregnant with my Brother in 74 when I was 6 & I would watch the games with her. That is when I really became a diehard & learned about the game & fell in love with the Defense as much as Floyd. When we moved to Michigan in mid 76 & my Mom started rooting for the Lions I was devastated. I have been a Broncos fan all my life.

[27atwater]

I grew up smack dab between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. hated both teams. I watched the rams/skins and broncos cuz of their players (dickerson/monk/elway), but after the drive, it was all about the Elway and my cleveland following classmates crying in school the next day. I was in the 5th grade and still carry the pic of me in my denver gear xmas morning. I actually needed it during college to prove my allegiance and to show i wasn't simply bandwagon during 97 and 98.

OH, and I LOVE the color orange.

[Alkazar]

I attended Mitchell Highschool who's colors were Blue and Orange and the nickname for the team was Orangecrush, officially allowed by the Orange Crush soda company at the time. So naturally, I became a Bronco fan in the mid to late 70s and have been a fan ever since!

[XXXII&III]

I was living on Guam in 1978 and all television programming ran two weeks later than in the states because they literally had to ship the tapes over. On ships. I really mean ships! Anyway, the Broncos first superbowl was the very first live telecast of ANYTHING on the island, ever. It was a huge deal.

I watched the superbowl live on Guam at 10:00 on Monday morning (time difference). And became a Broncos fan then. Moved from Guam directly to Colorado Springs, then to Denver a year later. Have never wavered in my fandom since that first superbowl. And I know the reason the Broncs have won their last two superbowls is because I was there cheering them on in person. And once again I will take the opportunity to b*tch about having to go to Detroit in February!

[Crowpointer]

Living south of Boston in the same county as Foxboro the Pats were always the 4th Place team in Boston Sports but they were always my favorite. The Sox went to the Series in 75 and the Celtics were Champions in 74 and 76 and the Bruins in 70 and 72. The Pats were that orphan team that played in a crappy stadium ouside the city . But in 1976 things changed. They had a young quarterback named Steve Grogan (who at that time was the Steve Young of his day) and Players Like John Hannah , Leon Gray. Julius Adams, Sam Adams ,Sam Hunt, Sam Cunningham,Andy Johnson,Darryl Stingley,Tim Fox. Mike Haynes, Steve Nelson and of course the Big Kuhuna himself Russ Francis. They exploded in 1976 with a 11-3 record including a blowout win (48-17) over the Super Bowl champion Raiders (their only loss that year). We had them down again in the Playoffs . We stopped them on fourth down at the end but they called roughing the passer on Sugar Bear Hamilton and the Raiders scored on a short run by Stabler a couple plays later. Referee Ben Dreith lived in infamy with Patriot Fans until The Snow Bowl in 2001 squared things. Oh wait.........this is a Broncos site. To be honest I've always admired the Bronco Fans, Orange crush , Barrell Man ect.. and how could you not admire John Elway but I don't have a second favorite team . However if the Pats don't do it i hope the Broncos do well for their fans and as one of the original AFL teams

[Hogan11]

I was in the 3rd grade at Holy Trinity Elementary School on 73rd and Federal (Irving) in Westminster. Our friends the Schiolas had three kids who were fans, and they were older than me, so I figured it must be cool. Tom Schiola told me about John Scarpitta and Billy Van Heusen and he gave me this wall poster:

. . . . . . . . . http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/9864/broncowallposter8ab.png (http://imageshack.us)

Then, Broncos QB Pete Liske spoke to us at Holy Trinity maybe a month or two later . . . the rest is H I S T O R Y ! - Actually, I remember Steve Tensi and Steve Ramsey as QB's when I first was a fan - I just liked Pete Liske because he was Catholic. I think he's the AD at Toledo now.

Plus I loved CU, and Bobby Anderson had just gone from CU (who finished #3 in the nation after beating Penn State) to the Broncos to team with Floyd Little.

(Hey! I never said it would be INTERESTING, did I?)

Man, look at that poster....does that say 1974 & WFL or what?

I remember Steve Ramsey.....didn't think much of him, but I remember him :)

Actually, I became a Broncos fan when I was 5 years old. I'm embarassed to say how really.....I picked them out of a Sears Christmas catalog after first becoming interested in football. I thought the D logo and the dark blue helmet were pretty sharp (still do), then I learned about Syracuse legend Floyd Little from my Dad....been hooked ever since. I could tell the story of having Charley Johnson and Floyd stop to talk to me amongst hostile Bills fans in 1975 after they got trounced by Buffalo that day (a game my oldest brother took me to for my birthday)....but I've told that story one too many times already methinks. Use the search option if interested.