The 2012 National Football League season will mark another year in the game’s longest home sellout streak.
The Denver Broncos sellout streak will be in its 43rd year this season, and that makes it unique beyond its simple and obvious length.
Denver found its place in pro football as an American Football League original in 1960, and when the most contentious battle between leagues ended with a merger in the late 1960’s, it was agreed that the two leagues would merge into one—or more accurately, that the AFL teams would move into the NFL to crates just one pro football league—starting with the 1970 campaign.
So, with the Broncos’ sellout streak having begun with the very first game of the 1970 season, it is accurate to note that the entire streak has come with the Broncos as members of the NFL.
Therefore, the Broncos are the only team in NFL history that can lay claim to never having had a non-sellout as a member of the NFL for an extended period of time.
The sellout streaks in New York, Washington, Green Bay and Pittsburgh are notable by length, but of course the franchises have been in the league a lot longer than has Denver and each went through some salad days with their fans. Remember, back in the day, in the 1920’s era featuring the game’s birth, pro football was looked at like a traveling vaudeville show.
And one other team of note at the other end of the time continuum is the Houston Texans franchise. The Texans have been sold out for every game of their history—but their entire history only spans the period from 2002 till now.
So the only team, the single one and only team that has played before home sellouts for the entirely of its multi-decade membership in the NFL, is the Denver Broncos.
Further, the fans from Denver, the surrounding region and even farther areas of the country who have packed Mile High Stadium and now Sports Authority Field at Mile High for this 43-year streak have seen almost nothing but winning.
Yes, we all know that we emerged last year from a several year malaise of mediocrity, but even including that, the Broncos have been among the NFL’s consistent winners.
We already know the Broncos have had six AFC titles and Super Bowl appearances during this streak, with the unforgettable back-to-back world championships as the centerpieces of this success.
Recently Erich Schubert of the Broncos’ PR department asked the Elias Sports Bureau for some stats on fewest losing seasons by NFL teams since 1984.
The Broncos have had the NFL’s fewest losing seasons by any team from 1984 to the present. Coincidentally, this time frame marks the Pat Bowlen era as team owner, and the standard of success is always set from the top.
Denver has had five losing seasons, with the next fewest being by Baltimore and Houston (six each, and in Houston’s case, that is six out of just 11 overall).
There is a four way tie (with seven losing seasons) among Green Bay, Miami, New England and Pittsburgh in that time frame, and every other team has more losing seasons these listed franchises.
And of the seven teams just noted with the fewest losing seasons—Denver having the fewest—Houston and Miami have not won the Super Bowl in that period, and only the Broncos, Patriots and Steelers have multiple Super Bowl wins.
When fans go to a game, they want to see their team win. And they don’t want to see their team lose.
The Broncos have a nearly unmatched record of success at both ends of the spectrum in that period, and they might just have the very best fans in pro football supporting that success.
We are about to kick off a new era in 2012, but the goal is the same one that has existed ever since Pat Bowlen walked in the door as owner in 1984.
Contend at the highest level.
With the end of the team’s mini-camp and official off-season program, players and coaches alike will be taking some time off before training camp kicks off in late July.
That will take place with a national glow of excitement and expectation surrounding the Broncos, but nowhere are the goals held higher than in this building, and by no one more so than the players, coaches and fans who have defined Broncos Country for five decades of passion.
Tags: Jim Saccomano
Been there for the last 25 all the way from Montana! Looking forward to the next 25 and more as tickets passed down to family through generations! 3rd generation will probably be coming from Washington but they will be coming!!
Still grasping onto my dream of attending a home game at Mile High. Might not be able to happen this year…….our one year old daughter is amazing at draining our budget! LOL Oh well, she’s worth every damn penny I tell ya!
You gotta check out this photo with her wearing her first Broncos gear………..she’ll have her jersey for the upcoming season. She looks like such a tomboy with this outfit on!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/80407532@N05/7372156972/in/photostream
Fascinating facts about the Broncos!
Another great article with some good information Mr. Saccomano. You are such an important part of our Broncos history sir. Thank you! As for Mr. Pat Bowlen, thank you many times over, and best wishes to you always. God Bless
DJ, keep the tradition going and enjoy the ride we get to share with Broncos Country and the Denver Broncos. I am part of the 3rd generation that is enjoying all the years of exciting and amazing football fun.
KK, great picture and so good to know that your holding up the Northeastern seaboard of Broncos Country. You are solid man. Hope the season and year goes well for you and yours.
Rest up Broncos and come out bucking like never before. Go Broncos!
Thanks lonewolf! Always representing my Broncos up here in the True North East! My wife already knows that daddy-daughter time on Sundays will consist of Broncos football! LOL
and I also agree………..I truly appreciate your blogs Jim. They are always so infomative and reminds us of all the great history our proud franchise has to offer. KUDOS to you sir!
Cute Pic Kod – Gotta love those towheads!!!
My own towhead was up before the roosters this morning. She got into the fridge. She has particular affinity toward the chocolate syrup – which looks like more of it went on her PJ’s than in her mouth – but she didn’t stop there. She also emptied the bottle of pancake syrup, which she is wearing more of than not, as well!
Just happy she found the fridge rather than the medicine cabinet!
spunnduckywuwu – previous blog appeared to be another appearance by Glax again with the obsession with Bay.
He isn’t being blocked. Can’t figure this new mode where he posts and vacates. Pretty certain he got a new ‘puter to be able to post.
Again with the cautions that our blog is read by many who don’t post. Use caution.
Jim S. – not certain why but this post got my blood racing like, like, like… DT with a stiff arm headed for the end zone!!! Feeling very proud to be a Bronco fan!!!
I became a fan in 1983 – somehow I never even noticed the change of ownership – but that was a big deal!
Pat Bowlen – for president!!!
i try and make it to a home game every year from joplin MO, proud to bleed orange and blue!!
Hey DB! Too funny man…………and I hear ya. They’re always into something! LMAO Daria has a facination with the dog bowls, including the water, which she loves to get her hands into. As soon as we turn our back she’s racing over there to get at it. Cracks me up!
and all you need is to sign up under a new email address to get a new handle so that’s prob what’s happening. I guess all we can do is ignore it.
He was doing the new email address left and right and I believe they either convinced him he was going to be reported or they locked in on his computer IP address and put a block on that. I was thinking it was the later.
Small excerpt from article at DP….
Home Improvement Required.
The Broncos must do something about this: In the past three seasons, they are only 1-8 at home against AFC West opponents.
And people think Pittsburgh, Houston and New Orleans are the rough opponents on the Broncos’ 2012 home schedule.
Recent history suggests the juggernauts are San Diego, Oakland and Kansas City.
Oddly, the Broncos were 3-0 on the road against the AFC West last season but 0-3 at home. Same deal in 2009.
Where have you gone, advantage of playing at mile-high altitude? Perhaps Manning’s mastery of the no-huddle offense will help the Broncos regain their home-field prowess. The no-huddle offense, if sustained over several plays in a series, can cause a defense to gasp for air because substitution is more difficult and there typically is less rest between snaps
Source: Peyton Manning looking sharp in Denver Broncos’ passing game – The Denver Post
That’s the one trend that didn’t change from McD transition to Fox era… home record vs. AFC West opponents.
The one win came was vs KC which ended with Haleys’ fingerpointing to McD…. spygate II.
The Home fans and fans all over hope this recent trend will change!!!
My goodness… Clearly it has been FOREVER since I’ve been on these blogs because I haven’t seen this new layout. Very strange. I feel lost lol
Just checking in and saw our home streak for games and I have to say I’m impressed. We truly are the best fans to sell out home games, good or bad, awesome games or ugly ones. Very cool
I’m going to try to make it to our home game vs. Oakland with my insane Raider fan friend lol since going to Oakland for the Prime Time game is clearly out of the question.
GO BRONCOS 2012!!!!!!!
couldn’t agree more rbf1. We really need to take care of business against division foes at home and then the win in their house is gravy. I think the trend of home wins starts this season!
Hey 07elway! Great to see your handle on the blog again! Don’t be a stranger!
Broncos Country:
For all my other Brothers who hate the faiders. Reading Sacco’s sellout brought back many so memories. So I dug up a DP from 2010:
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_16377597#ixzz12r1VxCCU
Hope???
It’s gonna change and the defense is the reason it’s gonna change.
Still thinking the Steelers game will be a scorefest with both teams over 20 pts.
Hey 07 – we have a rule around here about having Raider friends – careful!!!
Trying not to be a stranger on here, just been busy with work & hanging out with friends. But believe me I have NOT forgotten about the DB blogs or my fellow Broncomaniacs
LOL I know I know, its not my fault he’s one. Can’t blame me for that character flaw ROFL… He’s too far into the Dark Side, I can’t get him out. Believe me I’ve tried.
I can just picture the crap I’ll get for taking him into not only my hometown of Denver but into OUR house for the game.
Got to go to work, catch up with you all later.
Don’t hate cause I’ve befriended a Raider fan lol I’m Orange & Blue for life, he’ll never convince me otherwise. I’m a strong chick
Hi 07elway..
Long time no see!
I’m sooo excited bc Manning’s 1st TD pass this season will be his 400th passing TD. That will be EXCITING!!!
Funny someone like glasnax can get on here and torment everyone and since this new format my laptop has been rendered useless, can only post from my phone.
So! Just bought my preseason tickets to the Seattle game! I decided I can’t wait until September!!!! Broncos fans are the best in the NFL!
Wow. Have not seen 07 on in along time. I hope she comes back as a reg. She can bring Coop with her.
FTR
07
Tell him to be ready with some dark armor if he is going into your house. LOL he might get attacted by ORANGE light sabers!! Maybe then he will turn to the good side of the dark hole. Great to hear from you.
ILMSDB
FTR
Long time no see 07Elway. How goes it?
wow………had bay on posting earlier………and now Ashley back on posting! Awesome!
I am so proud to be a Broncos fan. Our fans are so loyal and know the game top to bottom, inside and out. What an awesome write up Jim, well deserved appriciation. Your history and knowledge of the Denver Broncos are without end. A big thanks to you! I knew are sellout streak was back from the early 70`s, but these numbers are amazing to digest. WOW!!
FTR – thanks for the reminder…. was trying to remember off the top of my head last time Broncs beat Raiders at home.
Must have been when Cutler was the QB….
Very good to see Ashley!
Wasn’t surprised to see bay on here earlier… he’s been a strong advocate on the blogs for the Broncos to rid themselves of DJ and Moreno for a few years now, just like he mentioned.
Cat= Tiffany meet 07= Ashley – you two remind me a lot of each other!
All we need is Shaz to show up and we will have all the ‘ladies of the blog’ here. Tide posting regularly of course.
Wow, I had to walk through hot coals to get on this blog. Been here before under another name but haven’t been able to post. Why? I don’t know. Anyway, I have to agree that it is time for DJ to go. Been reading the posts and Cat is a great addition. Very spunky and knows her stuff.
So Cat? Why the Seattle game? Just curious!
In my mind Seattle is still closely associated with the AFC West. Do you other old timers feel that division rivalry type of feeling still? Not that they are enemies like the raiders or neighbors like KC – but more like the ever capable, always coming after you, San Diego Chargers, sort of feeling – and their colors don’t help matters much. (This get categorized into my close affiliation with team personalities. LOL )
So who were you Wolf?
I’m afraid to say, I may be off again. I have chatted with you before Daddy and am hoping you are coping with marrying another daughter off. Great pic KK. Can’t have too many fans.
Hey bro, how goes it. Are you the one who fax`s me brewskys? LOL
Well, I’m off to get ready for my second softball game of the season……….I went 3-5 my first game with 3 RBI’s and turned two double plays playing second………..which is tough cause I’m a lefty! lol No one else wanted second and I do enjoy infield except it is harder to play being left handed….except first base. Hope to have anothe good game!
Check you all in the morning!
GO BRONCOS!
07 elway – I can recall one couple in Broncos/Raiders gear walking in together hand in hand… (our section). They got heckled bad and I mean BAD!!! (brave couple)!!
Now Broncos/Cowboys fans/couples…. different story… never have seen so many in my life as I did a few years ago.
Good to see you pop in – 07elway!
Broncos Country.
I have many but my fader hatered builds as the season grows near. For you injoyment here is a one of alot of team fights. We lost this one 33-30 but this fight was worth it. We dont like the fadiers and I am trying to keep that tradition going. LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbU8pCgfZzs
FTR
One, I hate Seattle almost ask much as Oakland, KC and SD… And it’s on a Saturday night at seven… I could’ve chosen the next one, but it’s our first home preseason game too… So I want to be there. Plus, when we win I can make a big deal about it to the crazy Seahawks fans at school… I have one kid who always gives me a hard time. He stopped after we got Manning though. Smart boy (-; I want to go to the one in Chicago, but that costs a lot more than $25! LOL
Wolfe, I’m glad you found a way back!!!!!
Kod, I love your daughter. She is adorable!
Hey, Ashley! So many people told me that I reminded them of you, so I look forward to chatting with you!
Cat, I am a recently retired teacher and my girlfriend taught at the local Catholic school for many years. I know what teasing with students is all about. My last year I had a student whose dad taught at another school. He was a Fader fan and we had a running joke where we each sent the other tissue when our team lost. The finale was when his daughter became a Bronco fan. Great fun
LOL that’s awesome! I have a raiders fan in my class this year and a chargers fan. For some reason I don’t hate the chargers AS much as the chiefs or the raiders… I am tutoring the raiders fan this summer and i wore my manning shirt Tuesday and she paused class to say “Um, Ms. Cat i have to rell you that i dont approve of your shirt” LOL I laughed and told her “Get used to it… This is what happens when your favorite QB becomes your QB” Anyway, it’s definitely fun. How cool! I teach at a Catholic school too!!
new blog