I don't know how you spent the first day of the new year, but I was at a Bronco's game! It was my first time attending a professional football game (except the time in college when I danced at a Ram's game with the dance team - but then we spent most of the game in the dressing room waiting for our time to go on), and it was a fun experience.
The game started around 2:15, but we got there around noon so we could walk around the tailgating activities and try to get a peak at the field. - Side note: On our way in there were a bunch of people selling jerseys, shirts, beads, and other Broncos paraphernalia. At one point you have to walk under an overpass, and there were all sorts of "Tebowisms." These are just signs people have posted with comments relating to Tim Tebow. My favorite one said, "Dear God, please disregard the first 3 quarters. -Tim" It made me laugh for a good while. But back to my recount of the day - I wasn't sure what to expect when we got to the stadium, but we were able to walk right up to the front row on field level while the players were warming up. There was even one guy from KC immediately below us using the wall for balance while he warmed up. I could have touched his head. It was fun to watch them and see their normal routine for warming up.
We watched for a while and wandered around the field, slowly meandering towards our seats. All the while we were waiting for the Bronco's players to come out to warm up. Eventually they did appear, and we got to see some of them, including some key players, warming up while we were still at field level. That was neat since our seats were far away and we knew this would be our only chance to get a good look from up close.
As the stadium started to fill more and more we decided it was time to go to our seats. We were pretty near the top row, but we were on about the 45yd line. Really, it wasn't too bad a view. Of course you couldn't see much detail, but it was fine for watching the game I thought. The "show" started with the Bronco's cheerleaders doing some sort of "fight song" routine (at least I assume it's the same one they always do, along with a small band). They left and then a lady came out riding a bronco, both horse and rider decked out in orange & blue. That was pretty neat; I wasn't expecting it at all and they were moving fast! Eventually the horse moved to the side and 4 guys on a jump team jumped out of planes aiming to land on the field. They had orange, blue & white parachutes, and as they entered the stadium they positioned themselves so they were falling horizontal to the ground. Of course at this point the parachute wasn't doing much; they fell really fast and swooped around the inside of the stadium looking as though they would land in the crowd. At the last minute they straightened back up, just in time to slow down enough to safely land. It was a rush to watch. Next the teams came out; of course the Broncos had more a display. The woman on the bronco led out a small group of people waving flags, followed by the team. Then they introduced the starters who ran out individually. Lastly they had some people display the Bronco logo on the field, followed by a large group of people who displayed a GIANT American flag. The National Anthem was sung & followed by a fly over. That was also really neat; I love fly overs! They always make me feel especially patriotic for some reason. Plus it's just cool to watch.
The game was not especially exciting. It was a low scoring game (7-3, Broncos lost) and not much excitement; few turn-overs, never a chance to be close or come down to the wire, and not even any especially good plays. But just being there, in that atmosphere, made the game fun. Every time we were on defense the entire stadium started rumbling because everyone stomps their feet to be loud and distract the other team. I thought a few times there was a chance the stadium might collapse. I don't think the risk was every very real, but everything was shaking from the number of people doing this. They call it Thunder Stadium, Broncos Country, USA. I assume this stomping & rumbling is the reason why.
Anyway, it was a fun time. Really cold! I don't think I warmed up for a couple hours after the game. The temperature that day wasn't bad, but our seats were on the west side of the stadium, so we were in the shade the entire time. I thought we were on the opposite side and would be in the sun. Otherwise, I would have brought a coat!
The game started around 2:15, but we got there around noon so we could walk around the tailgating activities and try to get a peak at the field. - Side note: On our way in there were a bunch of people selling jerseys, shirts, beads, and other Broncos paraphernalia. At one point you have to walk under an overpass, and there were all sorts of "Tebowisms." These are just signs people have posted with comments relating to Tim Tebow. My favorite one said, "Dear God, please disregard the first 3 quarters. -Tim" It made me laugh for a good while. But back to my recount of the day - I wasn't sure what to expect when we got to the stadium, but we were able to walk right up to the front row on field level while the players were warming up. There was even one guy from KC immediately below us using the wall for balance while he warmed up. I could have touched his head. It was fun to watch them and see their normal routine for warming up.
We watched for a while and wandered around the field, slowly meandering towards our seats. All the while we were waiting for the Bronco's players to come out to warm up. Eventually they did appear, and we got to see some of them, including some key players, warming up while we were still at field level. That was neat since our seats were far away and we knew this would be our only chance to get a good look from up close.
As the stadium started to fill more and more we decided it was time to go to our seats. We were pretty near the top row, but we were on about the 45yd line. Really, it wasn't too bad a view. Of course you couldn't see much detail, but it was fine for watching the game I thought. The "show" started with the Bronco's cheerleaders doing some sort of "fight song" routine (at least I assume it's the same one they always do, along with a small band). They left and then a lady came out riding a bronco, both horse and rider decked out in orange & blue. That was pretty neat; I wasn't expecting it at all and they were moving fast! Eventually the horse moved to the side and 4 guys on a jump team jumped out of planes aiming to land on the field. They had orange, blue & white parachutes, and as they entered the stadium they positioned themselves so they were falling horizontal to the ground. Of course at this point the parachute wasn't doing much; they fell really fast and swooped around the inside of the stadium looking as though they would land in the crowd. At the last minute they straightened back up, just in time to slow down enough to safely land. It was a rush to watch. Next the teams came out; of course the Broncos had more a display. The woman on the bronco led out a small group of people waving flags, followed by the team. Then they introduced the starters who ran out individually. Lastly they had some people display the Bronco logo on the field, followed by a large group of people who displayed a GIANT American flag. The National Anthem was sung & followed by a fly over. That was also really neat; I love fly overs! They always make me feel especially patriotic for some reason. Plus it's just cool to watch.
The game was not especially exciting. It was a low scoring game (7-3, Broncos lost) and not much excitement; few turn-overs, never a chance to be close or come down to the wire, and not even any especially good plays. But just being there, in that atmosphere, made the game fun. Every time we were on defense the entire stadium started rumbling because everyone stomps their feet to be loud and distract the other team. I thought a few times there was a chance the stadium might collapse. I don't think the risk was every very real, but everything was shaking from the number of people doing this. They call it Thunder Stadium, Broncos Country, USA. I assume this stomping & rumbling is the reason why.
Anyway, it was a fun time. Really cold! I don't think I warmed up for a couple hours after the game. The temperature that day wasn't bad, but our seats were on the west side of the stadium, so we were in the shade the entire time. I thought we were on the opposite side and would be in the sun. Otherwise, I would have brought a coat!
Here are our pictures from the day (or most of them):
{I still think Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium is a better name...}
{These guys are huge! I would not want to mess with them.}
{Prater, I believe is his name, our kicker. Warming up. He made it.}
{Tebow warming up. He's #15 if you're not sure which one I'm talking about.}
{View from our seats. Not bad.}
{One guy from the jump team; I know this isn't an exciting picture.}
{Do you see the lady on the bronco out front?}
We thought they were out of the playoffs since they lost this game. But, surprise, they got the wild card bid and play against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday! Gooo Broncos!
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