Over the years I have photographed many losses. Some losses were close, leaving you with that heartbreak feeling you might have experienced in junior high.
Others maybe not so close, leaving you with a sense of bewilderment.
I struggle sometimes in those types of games trying to capture the moment, or a key play or even better a bright spot in a rather difficult environment.
Fortunately for me, last weekend’s best images came before kickoff.
I met avid Broncos fan Addison Mitchell on the sidelines along with his mother Val and father Jack, and Stefan Hoch, his best buddy and teammate on his Houston high school football team during Broncos warm ups.
Addison and his entourage were on the field as guests of the Make-a-Wish foundation.
Addison has leukemia. According to his folks this go around isn’t quite as good as the previous battle. He was in remission but had a recent check up that discovered a reoccurrence of the disease.
He looked every bit the part of a healthy strapping teenage athlete adorned with a blond crew cut and a 24 dark blue and orange jersey.
You guessed it. Champ Bailey is Addison’s guy. So the two got to greet one another on about mid-end zone of the southwest corner of Denver’s sideline around 1:30 p.m.
Like most teenagers in that type of situation, Addison was a bit reserved but Champ made him feel right at home. Both sported big smiles and Bailey offered up a mix of cheery and supportive words.
When their final handshakes released I believe Addison was floating several inches off the turf.
However, he had to quickly ground himself because he was just told another Broncos ambassador wanted to meet him.
As players jogged back to the locker room, Tim Tebow angled directly toward the Texas teen. Number 15 shouted out, “Addison? How are you?” As expected Addison shyly responded with a soft smile.
The exchange was even livelier and when Tebow offered up an autograph, Mitchell shoved his recently autographed Bailey football towards the rookie. Tim rebuffed and proudly presented a football he had during warm ups for a signature.
The union was cemented with a Tebow bear hug and several soft-spoken words planted close to Addison’s right ear.
Eyes locked, smiles radiating, one of two priceless moments and two wonderful photographs.
- Eric Lars Bakke, Denver Broncos Team Photographer
Tags: 2010, Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos, Eric Lars Bakke, Tim Tebow
wow talk about a bright spot. Nice story telling skills btw. Glad he was able to get his wish and hope he feels and stays better. Just sad he had to witness that autrocity on sunday. Many were saying the team, coaches, players etc should put money together to refund all fans tickets, now i say put money together to get this kid to another game where the broncos play like the competitors he loves.
I agree with 1nOnlyTRB, get Addison back in there when we’re ready to show up and play some football
Now that’s the Broncos I know and love.Way to go Champ and Tebow!!
Great,Great story Gabe!!!!!!!!!
I think this is one of the best blogs/articles that has been posted for a while. We are forget that these guys have hearts and are really good people as well as extraordinary athletes..makes me proud to be a fan. And best of luck to Addison..will be thinking of you.
Now this alone makes up for that one game we played last week… can’t even remember anymore. lol Thanks for sharing this great story. And Tebow… doesn’t get any classier than that. God bless Addison… my prayers are with him & his family.
Great story, very classy of both Champ and Tebow! I agree they need to get Addison back to another game that is more enjoyable for him.
My first daughter died of leukaemia many years ago, and so I do have some idea of what Addison’s parents are going through. These are tough times and just meeting his heroes will have done him good.
However this story brings us all back to reality, and feeling sorry for ourselves after a terrible loss is totally insignificant compared to Addison’s battle for life. Personally if I was in his position I would be more interested in winning my battle than worrying about a Bronco’s defeat.
And looking on from the sidelines it is more important to me that Addison gets better than the Bronco’s win another game this season.
I am sure the team and fans will be praying for Addison, God Bless you all.
Tebow and champ are a class act this brought tears to my eye’s
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