View Full Version : Barrel Man to retire
dragondawg
03-20-2007, 03:38 AM
Barrel Man to retire
It was a tough weekend for unofficial NFL mascots as Miami's Dennis "Dolfan Denny" Sym and the Dallas Cowboys' Wilford "Crazy Ray" Jones died after long illnesses on back-to-back days.
In case this news had Broncos fans wondering, Tim "Barrel Man" McKernan is doing just fine, thank you, as he rests for what he says will be his 30th - and final - season of wearing the barrel.
"I'm probably going to go out with 30 seasons under my belt," said McKernan, who will be 67 when the 2007 season opens. "I'll still be attending the games and speaking at schools, but we'll be retiring the barrel."
McKernan had serious health issues in 2003, when an abdominal aneurysm ruptured. "I still don't have any stamina," he said.
Doctors have since restricted him to wearing his barrel for one half of games at Invesco Field, and then only when the temperature is above freezing.
Retired after 40 years as a mechanic for United Airlines, Mc- Kernan and his wife are based in Gunnison, but spend their offseasons traveling in their recreational vehicle.
Reached Monday in Indio, Calif., he had not heard of the passing of his mascot colleagues. RV living has its freedoms, but also its space restrictions, which was one reason the Barrel Man, who in 1999 beat John Elway to Canton, Ohio, as the first Bronco inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, sold his Super Bowl XXXII barrel for $30,000 last year.
The barrel, autographed by 49 Broncos from their first world championship team, was sold to a Black Hawk casino. McKernan gave 10 percent of his profits to a battered women's home in Gunnison.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_5475470
footstepsfrom#27
03-20-2007, 03:44 AM
...RV living has its freedoms, but also its space restrictions, which was one reason the Barrel Man, who in 1999 beat John Elway to Canton, Ohio, as the first Bronco inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, sold his Super Bowl XXXII barrel for $30,000 last year.
Say what? ???
Why is this guy retiring doesn't he know he is a Bronco fixture. The nerve, who does he think he is Jake Plummer?
Tim tried retiring after his illness but could not do it. Time has taken its toll and it is time for him to just be a "regular" fan like the rest of us. Good luck to him and Becky.
Mile High Salute Barrel man!!!
broncocalijohn
03-20-2007, 03:57 AM
Say what? ???
There is a fan wing at the HOF. He is in as Hat Man Jay. Both tailgate together and before OF1, i tailgated with them exclusively. They saw my RDR H8R license plate from California and invited me over since i was empty handed. Some of the greatest fans I have ever known. I hope to be at the last home game. Maybe Ill throw him a free ticket to San Diego. Meck can pick him up in the OF1 bus.
footstepsfrom#27
03-20-2007, 03:58 AM
Is this guy really in the HOF? And Graishar's not? Tell me this is a joke please...
watermock
03-20-2007, 04:01 AM
Cut the ole' dog some slack..sheesh...let him wear a parka for all I care...
Time for some new maniacs...I hate that weirdo Leprecahn.
Pezman
03-20-2007, 04:02 AM
Its been a great ride for Tim and his wife. Nothing but the best for both of them as they sail off into the orange sunset!!!
Kaylore
03-20-2007, 04:04 AM
He's due. Good for him.
broncocalijohn
03-20-2007, 04:16 AM
Cut the ole' dog some slack..sheesh...let him wear a parka for all I care...
Time for some new maniacs...I hate that weirdo Leprecahn.
That leprechaun is the worst! He is an attention whore. When I went to Miami for the SuperBowl, we had an after party at a restuarant/bar. He was talking to someone outside patio and was asked, "what was the best part of the game for you?" Did he say Elway's last game and mvp? nope. The slaughter and domination of the whole team? Nope. He answered, "When I looked up and saw me on the big screen." What a complete A HOLE! I dont think many of the old time die hards like him much. Wish he would retire and keep Tim around.
Pezman
03-20-2007, 04:23 AM
That leprechaun is the worst! He is a attention whore. When I went to Miami for the SuperBowl, we had an after party at a restuarant/bar. He was talking to someone outside patio and was asked, "what was the best part of the game for you?" Did he say Elway's last game and mvp? nope. The slaughter and domination of the whole team? Nope. He answered, "When I looked up and saw me on the big screen." What a complete A HOLE! I dont think many of the old time die hards like him much. Wish he would retire and keep Tim around.
Yup, his attitude (Leprachaun) even amongst his superfan peers leaves alot to be desired. I agree, I'd trade 10 of that guy for just one Barrelman.
Not to mention that Barrelman and Hatman Jay are some of the coolest guys to meet in person too. Something that Leprachan will never understand.
watermock
03-20-2007, 05:37 AM
Telling a midget to get out of your line of sight isn't pretty. He damn near charged me. It was funny.
broncoblue
03-20-2007, 06:25 AM
couldnt believe my battery died on my camera when i met him in az :(
watermock
03-20-2007, 06:35 AM
No reason for him challenge his mortality to posture.
Things turn over faster than you think. Let him sit in a down coat at this point.
Unless he passes the torch...noone can replace him. I would love to have he hand it off but I think he's more ill than advertised.
Life is a funny thing....I remember him marching around the entire stadium at old Mile High...let him put on a parka.
Natedogg
03-20-2007, 07:25 AM
Let's trade him to move up in the draft.
watermock
03-20-2007, 07:56 AM
Let's trade him to move up in the draft.
I'm not sure this is equal value.
http://www.cheeretc.com/mascots/horse_fierce_stallion_431.jpg
He will be worth at least the 15th pick because men that will wear a barrel in sup freezing weather are hard to find.
ol number 7
03-20-2007, 11:23 AM
Tim tried retiring after his illness but could not do it. Time has taken its toll and it is time for him to just be a "regular" fan like the rest of us. Good luck to him and Becky.
Mile High Salute Barrel man!!!
"Lead 'em Disco Lead'em !! "
quote: Mike Shanahan
spdirty
03-20-2007, 11:40 AM
Met him at Southwest Plaza right before Christmas in '05. I asked him how long he planned on doing this, he said 2 more, that way he can get 30. I just hope like hell, that during the pregame of his last game, the announcer can give him a little love and we fans can give him a standing O for all he's done.
Tim seemed like a cool guy when I met him the few times I did (remember when I was 6 years old I got to shake his hand), just tired. Hopefully his last game will be at the Superbowl this year.
Billy Clyde Puckett
03-20-2007, 11:44 AM
Good luck Tim. We know the barrel will always be with the Broncos in spirit
brncs_fan
03-20-2007, 11:49 AM
I was just telling my wife about him last night. I was under the impression though that he retired a few years ago after his health problems. I never got the chance to meet him personally, but he was a fixture on nationally televised Bronco games a lot in the 90's. Good luck to him.
watermock
03-20-2007, 12:05 PM
Hasm't anyone else seen Californians wearing parkas if it drops to 50 degrees?
He's paid his dues. He has no right to be out there, and if the Broncos had half a heart, they would comp his tickets at this point. I don't care if he wears a bunny suit honestly. He's earned it. I'm serious.
Someone make the ole' coot wear a wetsuit under the barrel. And a hat. Crazy SOB.
Most of you probabably don't even know what a coot is. We call them lake chickens.
They are an odd lake chicken/duck/gull that is horrible to cook and isn't hunted for anything but target practice. They are on the scale of bullheads in the favorites catagory...just above carp.
Rather remarkable fishermen tho...they are incredible swimmers that can catch fish at will.
http://www.geocities.com/tgrey41/AmericanCoot6.jpg
broncosteven
03-20-2007, 12:22 PM
I am glad I met Tim at Canton, I had my wife take a pic with him & my Daughter. He was very tired yet happy to have the pic taken. We talked for a while, total strangers yet having the common thread of the Broncos.
He is a kind person & someone that I was glad to be a Fan spokesman for my team. I am glad he is in the HOF!
Odysseus
03-20-2007, 12:26 PM
He has had an incredible run of luck. He done good and was very much appreciated.
I have met him several times. After the near miss in 2003 I thought he was all done then. I heard he put that thing back on but I wasn't in town to see it.
67 years old with a barrel on? Think about this people. We have young healthy fans who won't even stomp their feet in that stadium. I have fans 30 years younger than me who won't go to the games because they are too cold. Weeeeeak!
He's doing the right thing. I wish I could be him traveling around in that R.V.
Orange_Beard
03-20-2007, 12:27 PM
We are ****ed!
TheDave
03-20-2007, 12:27 PM
I'm still trying to get over the fact that someone paid 30K for his barrel
watermock
03-20-2007, 12:42 PM
I'm still trying to get over the fact that someone paid 30K for his barrel
It's not that big of a deal and might of been a friend trying to help him that could piss that away
It was old and probably stunk, but it was the barrel dude. 30k is a donation actually.
Crushaholic
03-20-2007, 01:11 PM
I met him once at a tailgate and I almost felt like I was meeting Elway. The guy has nerves of steel to wear that thing in all kinds of weather. Add another reason to win the Superbowl this year. DO IT FOR BARRELMAN!:notworthy
smalltowngrll
03-20-2007, 04:29 PM
So sad to see him retire! I had the privilege of meeting him and Hat Man Jay at the Pats @ Broncs playoff game a year ago January and then again in Arizona. Nice peeps they are!
Meck77
04-07-2007, 12:52 PM
Classic Barrelman "I love Elway"
Check this out..........Pretty cool old footage in this video. Didn't know BarrelMan was a singer.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=S3gl6qf18NQ
Los Broncos
04-07-2007, 04:48 PM
Classic Barrelman "I love Elway"
Check this out..........Pretty cool old footage in this video. Didn't know BarrelMan was a singer.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=S3gl6qf18NQ
wow i remember this from way back.
Sodak
04-08-2007, 12:04 AM
Discoman is a great fan that everybody recognizes as well. He'll be around for a while.
watermock
04-08-2007, 12:17 AM
A man that's weak shouldn't risk going George Allen with Numonia. Noone's going to mind if he wears an orange wetsuit underneath...I've cheered him before and he's acknowleged me a few times. Never met him tho.
New BarrelMan? You can't replace a legend unless if your Jay...hopefully. The midget was the biggest attention whore and Jesus..he's scary up close. I used to heckle him. He was/is a jackass. He hated me.
"Your blocking my view you goon..."