Team photographer Eric Lars Bakke has been working with the Broncos for 26 years. His photography blog will serve as a unique look from the perspective of an NFL photographer, periodically updating the site with tales from the sidelines, some of his favorite photos and the stories behind them.
Gosh, it was like old times.
His voice filled the air. His enthusiasm was phenomenal. Every eye was glued to the podium as No. 7 spoke his every word. January 5, 2011, was virtually John Elway Day.
It filled a void not heard, not witnessed nor experienced in a long time.
The man that bought glory to Denver and the Rocky Mountain region, Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, is back.
In his address to the media, Elway spoke of so many things the loyalists have been yearning to hear. Competing for the AFC Western Division Championship, being competitive and being present in the playoffs and even perhaps winning another Super Bowl.
This really brought back memories. I was fortunate enough to photograph and witness John signing his original contract at the Quarterback Club, relatively small, obscure dark quarters tucked away on the north side of old Mile High Stadium.
As an impressionable young photographer who had followed the Broncos since my youth and had attended many training camps when the young team practiced at Brooks Field at the Colorado School of Mines several miles from my home in Golden, that afternoon was not only a great assignment but certainly a cherished memory.
After following his career as a Denver Bronco, I also had the opportunity to cover his Arena League team the Colorado Crush. We became friends — as close as professional relationships will allow.
I always respected his role and his privacy and never once intruded during his career with the Broncos but we ALWAYS had a terrific working relationship. He always understood the need to document a game or capture a moment in the locker room — win or lose. And as a personal testimonial, he never once refused a requested autograph by a kid either — honest!
I recall one time in the early 80’s I had an assignment to photograph John with a particular new line of NFL apparel. It was a lousy day with huge winds pummeling the metro area as a storm front was passing.
Our goal was to photograph him wearing one of the throwback-type long sideline jackets that Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas used to wear.
At the time I was using a medium format camera — long before the digital age. The camera held twelve film frames. Once those were exposed you had to change film cartridges.
I told John since the weather was bad I would have him stand, tilt his helmet back and act as though he was watching action from a game as he gazed off into the distance. In my mind this was no time for a bunch a cutesy stuff most art directors demand.
I cranked off two cartridges of film and said, “ I think I have it”. He looked down at me as I was kneeling on the ground and inquired, “That’s it?” And I said, “ Yep, I have to work with you again don’t I?”. He chuckled and there after always gave me the time for any team assignment.
On Wednesday after all the media had filled their cameras and completed their interviews, I had John for a few portraits.
As he spun around to my designated spot for his portrait I said, “Welcome back. As always, it’ll be quick”. He just grinned.
-Eric Lars Bakke, Denver Broncos Team Photographer
Tags: 2011, Eric Lars Bakke, John Elway
WE need to dismantle the defense by 2/3 I think.
Sorry I got confused on which team I hate more I meant the Chargers.
Hey tell me what our chances of trading Orton plus a 2nd round draft pick to pick up that #1 overall from Carolina?
I just heard that McD is interviewing with the Vikings today for O coordinator job. I hope he gets it, because he will want Orton. Then our chances of getting a 2nd round pick for him go way up!!
It is looking more and more like we will be able to build our defense that we so desperately need. Things are beginning to look way up for us now. I also hope McD goes to the vikings. They need his expertise (ha)! They also need Orton. Him and his attitude will be a good fit there with McD.
Does anyone have a link to watch the Tebow special from yesterday? We don’t get regular ESPN in Costa Rica so I could not watch it.
Thanks!
Thanks for asking that I didn’t get to see it either we are spending time at the in-laws and don’t pay for espn.
I’ve been combing the Internet all morning for it. It is nowhere to be found. The DVR crowd hasn’t uploaded it to youtube yet.
O&Bin….I have it recorded….if ya cant find it anywhere…i can always mail it to u! Someone is bound 2 upload it 2 utube thou
Okay….this Fairley kid. He has looked dominant but also boneheaded with the spear of the Georgia QB, twisting his head to hit the QB in the knee and the whole grinding his facemask into the QB’s chin. I got no problem with a guy playing hard, but I think that kind of stuff is going over the line and could lead to fines and/or suspensions especially in the “dont touch the QB league”. Thoughts?
Harbraugh signed a 5 year deal with the 49ers.
Dear Mr. Elway, Xanders and Bronco Fans worldwide,
As a life long Bronco fan I believe that we need to keep everything in perspective. Josh McDaniels put himself out on a long limb and rolled the dice too many times. With that being said there is a lot of positives that he brought into the building that was over shadowed by the very rough and dramatic wheeling and dealing. I sense a panic and we to do not need to panic at all. With a 4-12 record many will argue that we need to over haul everything but the reality is that football is a game of inches. We need a steady hand at the wheel and the front office should interview close to 10 candidates before we make that very important decision.
I watched the last 3 games again very carefully and I believe that if we took the field right now with the staff and players currently in the building we could very easily make the playoffs.
The biggest loss this past off-season was Mike Nolan. I like Wink and have a lot of respect for him as a coach. He has progressed a lot as a coach over this last quarter of the season but “continuity” on the Defensive side of the ball is something that should be on the very top of our priorities. DJ and Champ have had to learn a new scheme every year since we went to the AFC championship game in 2005. That is not a recipe for success for any team.
We need to take the desperation completely out of Dove Valley. We are not desperate for a coach or for players. We do not need to pay 8 million dollars to someone who has never coached in the NFL. We also need to keep our strategy close to the vest. No more press conferences or public speaking. Xanders and Elway should turn off the TV, computer and phones…shut the door and read “The Art of War.”
We need to bring in someone who commands respect. A Dick Lebeau could be the perfect candidate for us and he should not hear his name through a press conference or ESPN. I think we need to let the world come to us because announcing that we are interested in someone who may or may not be interested in the Job is not making it any more attractive. Everyone (Fans included) needs to take a deep breath. Maybe focus our attention to Loyd, Woodyard, Thomas, Prater and Champ until the playoffs are over.
I think Elway will do a great job in the front office. First lesson is to not let the outside world (Press and Fans) dictate our decisions. We need to get a feel for the market and focus on being fundamentally sound both in the office and on the field. –Go Broncos
I think we should be looking for a real GM beforer a HC. Xanders was McDs yes sir puppet.The next HC is going to have some ruff years ahead of him. I watched the Tebow show on ESPN which was great. The part during the draft where Tim’s agent said we had the most fire power and the most picks really hurt when you think we did nothing with it. McD and Xanders moved up to get Phonzy, Quinn, Thomas and Tebow. I don’t think we needed to move up to get any of them.Alot of waisted picks. And only one, Tebow is a starter.
Atwaters da man, if we oughta not listen to the Press and the fans dictate our decisions as you are saying… Why in the world would we be paying any attention to what you are saying???? You must really think we are stupid or something!!!!
Okay Broncos fans.. Ready for this one?… Tom Cable. Are you kidding me? 6-0 in division is really really hard to do at any level in any division. They were a couple of plays away from a playoff birth.Since he took over the Raiders there record improve each year. Not does he commands respect he knows how to motivate. (In case anyone who miss that blow out game).. Plus after Al Dumbass Davis fired him, you don’t he will have a big chip on his shoulder? The last Bronco’s coach that got fired by Davis didn’t do too bad right?.. just sayin’…
no to tom cable!! Ron Rivera would be a good move with his defense knowledge. However the front office would need to be strong to handle the things he doesnt have the experiance with.
Not thrilled with most of the names i keep hearing come up.