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
Marshall will be in Sporano’s doghouse now,LOL.
Browns, Raiders, Panthers and us thats it for teams looking for new coaches. am i forgetting anyone else
Now this is blogging. FUN STUFF!
The long laugh was for BFE.
You know Beast, the more you look at the way this went down the more I think the “insider” was out of the loop on this deal. Maybe something got taken out of context… I don’t know… no matter what interviewing Harbaugh while Sporano was still there is in bad taste.
49ers
Niners
Now thats funny right there,I don’t care who you are.
At least we spelled it different, haha.
B&R,it’s still funny to me.
BBR, well said.
things are sure getting interesting around here. whats next Elway comes back. oh wait he did. greatest thing to happen to us since Tebow. lol
Oh yeah it’s true life comedy! Those dudes in Miami are reckless haha!
ESP
Thanks, Strand
Yeah, that was Elway’s 48th comeback.
I think the Raiders may keep Hugh Jackson and name him HC.Hell I said that was the reason they fired Cable,so they could keep Jackson,stupid!
But oh well I didn’t like seeing the Raiders 8-8 and 6-0 in the Division anyway….Hail…Hail…King Al…..LMAO.
BBR. What you just said, I spoke of yesterday. Just different verbage is all.
Well, I can’t top the “48th comeback” for tonight, so later all.
Later Bay.
Until tomorrow!!
Later guys.
beast i thought that too. but someone else already wants to interview him before the raiders. funny part is that the raiders firing their coach has been big news. i dont know why because they fire their coach every year. lol
It`s like starting a forest fire when news like this breaks out. LOL
You guys didn’t think that was funny? Elway’s 47 comebacks and Wednesday was his 48th? I must be losing my touch….
al davis is continueing to dig his own grave.
Cool actually.
I liked it Bay. It inspired me to grab this Klis quote, “After 12 years of trying to win without John Elway, the Broncos cried uncle.”
Ah I remember that now Strands
I am loving Al Davis right now. If Jackson is smart (which he appears) he’ll take a job elsewhere! Wouldn’t that be great! Keep settting your team back, Davis!
most people disagree with the move. 7 losing season and u finally have a 500 team. they have 12 free agents and most of them are upset cause they like cabel. thats the raiders for u. thanks al.
I don’t see how anyone could agree with the move. GO AL DAVIS!
LMAO @ Elways 48th comeback!
I’m going to enter the date in my copy of the complete illustrated history as just that!!!
I was actually more nervous about playing the raiders next year than the colts but not so much no lol.
Sorry I meant chargers lol.
yea. heard an interview with lechler and gallery. both very upset. sounded like they didnt want to be there. with that and kc is a one hit wonder and sd trying to make a comeback. we could have a shot next year. come on Elway and Tebow.
F.T.R- with that said, even their nation is in uproar over the firing! A lot of their fans are growing tired of AL’s Antics.
Even my father, the hated raider supporter, said it was a crazy move. He would know!
DEFENSE in 2011
I hope that the chiefs offense will fall apart with Charlie Weiss (or however you spell it) gone. If not they have a very young and talented team and might be competitive for a while.
As for the chargers I think they finally reached their prime and are on the way down for a dark stretch (hopefully).
they can run the ball. but cassel is not that good. and their offense will take a hit. lets see what they do against a good d like the ravens. i think that ed reed has a field day.
I hope they do good in the playoffs for one it would make my dad happy since he will be at the game and two I like to see our division being represented well in the playoffs, it makes us look better.
thats it for me my fellow broncos. till tommorrow.
the Chiefs that is.
Chiefs – talented but fluke. afc west wast bad this year. we played the horrible nfc west this year
Raiders – talented but on the fall. thanks for making things unstable again al davis.
Chargers – Never count them out. Phillip Rivers is a heck of a QB (yea yea, i know no one wants to hear that but he is) … the keep rivera as DC they have a top D. Ryan Matthews will be better next year (altho he fumbles like crazy).
Broncos – ?????. On the rise i would like to say but too many unknowns at the time … ill get back to u before the season starts lol but I do think we have a shut at the AFC west title
Ya BBR. We`re both saying the same thing bro. The Phins are lacking in integrity. Not cool at all.
I’d love to see the Ravens win. I am a big Ray Lewis fan. I love everything he represents. He is their version of John and just a fun guy to watch compete.
Definitely not cool.
I hope so i cant stand to watch another losing season.
Mikey, next year we don`t even play the Colts. Unless for some crazy reason we make the playoffs. Hey, you never know.