Mile High Mojoe
12-17-2006, 12:08 AM
Are any of you are old to remember when the Broncos use to play charity basketball games during the off season at high schools around the Rockies? Looking back on that now it was completely nuts because of the possible injury factor but it was something they use to do.
In 1984 they came to my HS in Wyoming, (I was 24, same age as Elway) and played some of the faculty and coaches. It was my first opportunity to see what professional football players looked like up close and personal without pads or helmets on.
It wouldn’t be until 1991 that I’d finally get to see my first game at the Old Mile High Stadium. It was a Monday Night Game against the Chiefs, the Broncos came back in the 4th thanks to Elway and won the game. I sat in the South Stands for that game, the roaring sound of the crowd was something I’ll never forget.
Anyway back to the basketball game. Elway had just finished his rookie year and what I remember about him and the game was he didn’t look all that thrilled to be there. I don’t think many of the players were all that thrilled about it either with good reason.
A couple of things stood out but what I most remember about the basketball game were Mike Harden and Steve Busick. First I couldn’t believe Busick was playing in a basketball game after coming off a knee surgery (you could still see the nasty scar tissue) and just how many of the other Broncos were playing in the game that clearly had bad knees.
Mike Harden had sort of an up and down career in Denver but when I saw him play basketball I couldn’t believe for his size just how ripped the guy was. He had muscles in his own s***. When I saw him play on TV he didn’t look all that big or muscular but up close he was a stud.
One the things most will remember about Harden was the big hit he laid on Steve Largent. He knocked out Largent cold and 2 of his teeth had to be capped as a result of the hit. He didn’t get penalized after the hit but after the NFL reviewed the tape they fined him $5000. Later the Seahawks played the Broncos and Largent got even with Harden when he unloaded a hell of hit on him.
I remember a few years ago reading somewhere that he got arrested for a burglary or theft of some sort. I’d like to have a game time photo of Harden (not a football card but a photo) of him if any of you have one. I just wondered if any of you guys knew what happened to Harden? Is in jail, did he get himself straighten out or what?
Today Owners would be crazy to let players play a in meaningless basketball game but it was cool for me to see Elway and the other players up close. Reeves must have been out of his mind to let guys play basketball when so many had bad knees. Do any of you remember those charity basketball games?
One of the big mistakes I made at that game was not getting Elway’s autograph. There was a long line after the game and he was signing them for free but I decided to hell with and went home. 20 years later it cost me $300 to get that autograph at his HOF Induction.
One more request do any of you have a game time photo (not a football card) of Steve Watson? I’ve been unable to find one of him or Harden anywhere on the net.
In 1984 they came to my HS in Wyoming, (I was 24, same age as Elway) and played some of the faculty and coaches. It was my first opportunity to see what professional football players looked like up close and personal without pads or helmets on.
It wouldn’t be until 1991 that I’d finally get to see my first game at the Old Mile High Stadium. It was a Monday Night Game against the Chiefs, the Broncos came back in the 4th thanks to Elway and won the game. I sat in the South Stands for that game, the roaring sound of the crowd was something I’ll never forget.
Anyway back to the basketball game. Elway had just finished his rookie year and what I remember about him and the game was he didn’t look all that thrilled to be there. I don’t think many of the players were all that thrilled about it either with good reason.
A couple of things stood out but what I most remember about the basketball game were Mike Harden and Steve Busick. First I couldn’t believe Busick was playing in a basketball game after coming off a knee surgery (you could still see the nasty scar tissue) and just how many of the other Broncos were playing in the game that clearly had bad knees.
Mike Harden had sort of an up and down career in Denver but when I saw him play basketball I couldn’t believe for his size just how ripped the guy was. He had muscles in his own s***. When I saw him play on TV he didn’t look all that big or muscular but up close he was a stud.
One the things most will remember about Harden was the big hit he laid on Steve Largent. He knocked out Largent cold and 2 of his teeth had to be capped as a result of the hit. He didn’t get penalized after the hit but after the NFL reviewed the tape they fined him $5000. Later the Seahawks played the Broncos and Largent got even with Harden when he unloaded a hell of hit on him.
I remember a few years ago reading somewhere that he got arrested for a burglary or theft of some sort. I’d like to have a game time photo of Harden (not a football card but a photo) of him if any of you have one. I just wondered if any of you guys knew what happened to Harden? Is in jail, did he get himself straighten out or what?
Today Owners would be crazy to let players play a in meaningless basketball game but it was cool for me to see Elway and the other players up close. Reeves must have been out of his mind to let guys play basketball when so many had bad knees. Do any of you remember those charity basketball games?
One of the big mistakes I made at that game was not getting Elway’s autograph. There was a long line after the game and he was signing them for free but I decided to hell with and went home. 20 years later it cost me $300 to get that autograph at his HOF Induction.
One more request do any of you have a game time photo (not a football card) of Steve Watson? I’ve been unable to find one of him or Harden anywhere on the net.