As the final horn signaled on Thursday to sound the end of the Broncos’ 2012 training camp, the last group of fans that watched the team’s practices this summer headed for the exits.
A total of 84,380 fans took in the team’s 16 practices that were open to the public during camp, by far the most that have ever watched Broncos training camp.
The total attendance in 2012 nearly doubled the previous record of 45,124 that was set last season when there were 18 practices open to fans.
Fans’ presence not only helps give the players an extra shot of energy as they grind through the padded practices, but also helps them prepare for in-game atmospheres.
“It has been nice to get you through some of those dog days, you can feed off their energy a little bit,” wide receiver Eric Decker said. “They will be missed because it’s always nice to have support here.”
For fans, training camp offers a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with their favorite players.
“It’s awesome,” said Corey Fuller from Littleton, who watched his second practice of the year on Thursday. “You can’t get this close at the games.”
The Broncos averaged 2,872 fans for each full practice at Dove Valley this year, again nearly doubling the previous record of 1,597 that was set in 2011.
The Broncos attracted more than 4,000 fans to Dove Valley on five occasions, including a total of 5,034 fans on Aug. 2 that represented the largest crowd in the 10 seasons the club has held training camp at its training facility. On six instances in 2012, the crowd total surpassed the previous record of 3,103 fans set on Aug. 1, 2010.
Additionally, a record crowd of 41,304 fans attended the Broncos’ Summer Scrimmage at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Aug. 4 — the second-highest attendance total for a training camp practice in the NFL this year.
While some fans are disappointed to see the open practices end, that means that the team’s regular-season opener is just around the corner.
“The practices are cool to get to,” Brian Smith from Castle Rock said. “But to get to the live action and to get to people being able to hit other people versus our own guys, I think is a lot more fun to watch. We’ll get to throw the ball around a little bit, get to run the ball a little bit. I think we’re anxious for the season to get started.”
Tags: Fans, Training Camp 2012
punt!
Bengals and Falcons are both moving the ball realitively well. Bengals much better than last week.
This is a terrible game. Clay Matthews was saying GB was going to be back on top – can’t see it here.
Really? It’s that bad?
Bengals defense is looking pretty strong seeing as they don’t have any really well known defenders.
Weedon doing well for the dogs – still in the game.
Matt Ice out, Redman in.
I think the Falcons are going to be fantastic this year. They need to get over the “not winning a playoff game” curse.
Evening you two.
Hey strand, watching a game?
I was. My computer is in the Basement where there is no TV. My TV is up stares. I`ll head back up soon.
Wow! Thats neat, I was at the practice were we attended the largest crowd in history on Aug.2 with 5,034 at Dove Valley, WAY COOL!!!
Dalton looks good. I hope he has a good season, except not against us! LOL!
Cool, strand!
Hey, I’m going to go watch Suits and then hit the hay. Hope you all have a good night!
Good night Ms. C. LOL
Busy emotional night.
My games got interrupted by skyping with the daughter in Japan.
Had to have a long discussion with the wife about a young man interested in the daughter I’ve been reserving for Timmy. LOL
Had a 3 mile walky talky with my 16 yo son dealing with life.
Son asks – Dad? How do you stand getting all us ignorant kids grown up? He was serious! All I could do was point to the bald and gray.
Life is good!
Sorry I missed you Strand.
GB game had its redeeming moments. I would be really worried if I were a Packers fans. AR looks like he is trying to do it all on his own.
Cat – you made me curious. I have to go watch the BeenGals. Hope they un-black the game. Thanks!!
Replacement refs are driving me nuts. I have seen at least two tackles leading with the helmet. The ATL TD shouldn’t have been. The facemask wasn’t and a called pass int also wasn’t. Way too many mistakes. The classic was marking off 13 yards instead of 15. (My wife noticed and I didn’t believe it until the announcer confirmed – LOL)
Good Morning Broncos Country and TGIF!
So stoked that my name got drawn for the contest yesterday! I can’t wait to get it! I’m curious as to what’s in it, but at the same time, I don’t want to know and have it be a nice surprise when it arrives. Thanks Gray and all your staff for adding a nice twist to the blog……….
I’m also stoked to watch this game tomorrow night………and see what kind of rhythm our O can muster with more posessions. I’m hoping to see a couple TD’s at least. Can’t wait to see our D eat the seachickens for lunch! I’d love to see TO get shut down! Broncos fans had better get their popcorn ready cause we’re gonna destroy this team tomorrow night!
KOD! Congrats bro, it was nice to see you won the trivia. Good job buddy! PM is going to make that defense look terrible! Mike Klis from the DP is on NFL AM right now saying Peyton is playing the first quarter and maybe a series in the second. Apparently Foxy messed up saying he would play the entire first half. Sorry Cat!
Morning Scalp…………thnx bro! It was a great surprise to see that I had won.
Yeah, Foxy pouched that one…………and got us all worked up! hahaha But hey, it’s still more playing time. I’d say we’ll see about 4 -5 series, depending on how they go of course. The game against the 49ers will be the most we’ll see the number ones play…………and what a great test that will be. That’ll be a great gauge as to where we are as a team.
Congrats Kod! So you were contacted? You’ll definitely have to share with us what was in your prize pack!!!
I must have been DQ’d or something. Lol. I’m just happy I got the answer right that day!
Where’s turtle BTW, we got a game tomorrow and I don’t hear any beating drums!!!!
Anybody seen the Manning commercial with Deion? Hilarious stuff.
hey sndvl…………..you had won as well, didn’t you? I’m sure they’ll be in contact with you soon. I will def share what it is when I get it.
turtle’s been on a few times in the last month or so, but not a lot. He’s been busy with ranch work I think. I’m sure he’ll be chiming in soon though……………….
Congrats kod! Can’t wait to see our younger guys battle it out on Saturday. Hillman should sit, and no reason to play McGahee much, if at all. Hope we can get some good looks at Omon and the other RB’s early in the game.
Congratulations kod! Way to go!
sndvl – good commercial…. got a kick out of it!
Omon will be a beast this game. I think he will solidify a spot on the team. Im really pulling for him.
New blog!