Most Denver Broncos fans watched all of or at least some of the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Saturday—certainly enough to catch the eloquent speech by Shannon Sharpe which highlighted his relationship with his late grandmother.
But there are so many moments and snippets of moments that find a place in someone’s memory back, I thought I would share a few.
It is great to be at the Inductees’ Reception on Thursday night, watching the inductees, young and old, mingle with each other.
Approaching the McKinley Hotel for that Thursday night dinner, the great 49er Bob St. Clair was sitting on a bench outside the hotel, relaxing as he was about to light up a cigar. We made eye contact and he just smiled and winked. It reminded me of another Hall of Fame, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, and the way that some of the fellows sit on the rocking chairs on the front porches of the old Cooperstown hotels, just waiting, watching, and savoring.
Like that, this was a slice of Americana, with Canton the perfect locale—where it all began at a Hupmobile dealership.
When Richard Dent went in for the Chicago Bears, it reminded me that he is the 27th Chicago Bear to go in, including two who played (one was the owner) on the team that would become the Chicago Bears–the Decatur Staleys—back in 1920. George Halas and George Trafton both were on the Staleys then, and both are in the Hall of Fame now.
As my wife Jo Ann and I sat with pro football writers Bob McGinn, this year’s winner of the Dick McCann Award, Rick Gosselin, Ira Miller and Howard Balzer at that Thursday dinner, I remembered reading how in the earliest days of the NFL, Halas not only owned the Bears, coached the Bears, and played for the Bears (he also played right field for the Yankees during his career), but after the Bears’ games he would personally become the reporter and make an appearance at each of Chicago’s newspapers. He would write a piece, and they would run it—which makes it very amusing when any current player refuses to talk to the press. George Halas typed the stories himself to get publicity for the early NFL.
Deacon Jones opined, as he has many times—one of the great lines ever, about the Hall of Fame—that “This is the place where everyone is equal, every guy just as big, just as fast, just as good.”
Looking at Frank Gifford, one of my all-time favorites and the very first player to have a television career, and how once upon a time we were flipping through the Hall of Fame game program together, and he stopped on his bio and said, “Jim, every year I come here, and I open the program and fine my bio, and when I do, I just cannot believe I am in it.”
Frank Gifford is very modest, but he is among the greatest of the greats, don’t kid yourself.
When he stopped playing and missed a year after that hit by Chuck Bednarik in the Eagles-Giants championship game, in which “Concrete Charlie”—Bednarik’s nickname—went both ways, Gifford, a Pro Bowl halfback, sat out an entire season. Then he came back, as a wide receiver, and made the Pro Bowl again!
These guys were players, and they still are.
How about Les Richter of the Rams? They traded 11 players to Dallas for his draft rights, even though they knew that he could not play for them for two full years due to his Army commitment, having received his draft notice.
Richter made the Pro Bowl his first eight seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.
When Bobby Bell was introduced, I thought of the words of his Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram, who said Bell could have been a Pro Bowler at every position except cornerback and quarterback.
We saw Shannon Sharpe several times throughout the emotional weekend, and whenever a hug was made, it kept occurring to me that his own body is as firm as that bronze they made of him.
Every individual was deserving, and there are many more to come.
Including future and past Broncos, who will be considered by both the normal committee and by the veterans committee as well.
At the end of the induction speeches and presentations, as everyone was walking up toward the various party tents that had been set up for the inductees, all the dignitaries were scurrying toward their individual parties, which fans behind ropes on either side of the walkway hollered for autographs. Everyone is in a hurry at this time, making autographs real tough for those diehard fans. A lot of the greats understandably were moving fast—after all, the speeches had run long, some folks had travel plans backing them up, so it was completely understandable.
Then I saw a Hall of Famer who had stopped to sign for fans, signing the full time as he walked toward the Sharpe party tent.
It was John Elway.
Every day he shows us all over again how to do it right.
I just hope if we win tonight people don’t start with the we going to the ship talk…also if we lose don’t say awwww man here we go again..the broncos suck and all that other mess….its only week 1 of the PRE-SEASON
Repeat after me: Evaluate, evaluate, evaluate… LOL.
Oh the score for tonights game…39-15…broncos *shrugs*
Game mvp…brady quinn with 3 tds to mark dell..
We’re just “kicking the tires” in these preseason games.
So:
Orton 1 FG
Tebow 3 TDs and a two point conversion
Quinn 3 TDs?
LOL.
Oops that should of been Quinn 2 TDs to make 39 points.
Orton is kicking field goals…is there anything he can’t do?….
LMAO, he is a genuine Paul Hornung, who by the way was RB, QB and FG kicker.
Well maybe Orton doesn’t have the running back part down yet….
No doubt one of my proudest moments as a bronco fan, sharpes induction speech. Definitely a class act. Haven’t been on the blog much need to get up to date since this where all the big news breaks such as when do season won loss picks have to be made ( Baylin) and can’t wait to see if I can improve on wkly score picks. So right up front a big thank you to Bay for all the work and for adding so much fun to the season.
Bay, I hope your bar hopping served you well on your day. I appreciate the humor you and BS bring to the discussions.
I just read a report that Orton is taking kick returns as well………now that’s dynamic! LOL
Thanks since 1972, coming from one of our senior member it means a lot, and let me post this once again for you and everyone who wishes to participate:
About upcoming contests:
-The season record prediction contest entries will be taken starting Aug 29th through September 10th only.
-The first score prediction contest will start for the first regular season game with entries taken for that between Sept 5th and 11th only.
-And after that entries for the weekly score prediction contest will be taken only starting the day AFTER the previous game right up to the day BEFORE game day. Exception: bye week when you will have to wait until OCT 17th to place your entry for the following game, that way I get a week off too.
So please all mark your calendars, thanks.
PS, remember just fun and games between bloggers, no affiliation with the Bronco organization whatsoever, so no prizes, just looking for pride and avoiding shame, that’s how I roll.
Thanks lonewolf, I try to keep it light unless we’re in the midst of like the McDerror, haha, and Brian is good at that too.
Yeah…I can turn into a teapot sometimes if you know what I mean…and let of some steam.
Hey bay,if we end up trading Tebow,I’ll piss on my Orange Tebow jersey and then drink a cold beer,while I burn it,lol.
But I’ll be Damned if I go out and buy an Orton Jersey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No disrespect to any of the current players, but the ONLY jersey that goes on my back has the number 7 on it……END OF STORY!
The only other one I got is a #30…TD!
I do have a ’98 SuperBowl Tshirt that has never been opened out of the plastic,and never will!
But I’ll be optomistic,Tebow is the future of the Broncos franchise,and I’ll wear my Orange Tebow jersey with Bronco pride,and don’t diss it either,or I’ll punch you,I have before,lol.
Ahhhhh…..TD. Man, that dude was a beast! I wonder if he’ll ever get HOF consideration based on such a short career? His stats in those short years are staggering to say the least and pretty much the main ingredient to number 7 getting his two rings.
I haven’t seen a back as dominate as him in the league since really, IMO.
I know it’s a month away but I am so stoked to see our boys SMACK DEM FADERS IN THE MOUTH! A great way to start off the season would be a little taste of redemption!!!
Yeah…TD was always in Beast Mode,I don’t think he’ll even be considered for the HOF,but if you compare his #s with other RBs #s over the same time span,TD’s #s are staggering.
As for the Faders,I hope we send them back to the Black Hole with their tails between their stinkin’ legs……FTR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The last actively playing QB jersey I bought was Jake Plummer and it will remain the last actively playing QB jersey I will ever buy. I am now only looking to buy special jersey’s like Pro-Bowl, etc. Champ and Doom are the only two actively playing Broncos that I have their jerseys. When I buy I go for full out authentic and sure as heck ain’t spending $150 plus on anything but a sure deal. I would buy a, I “heart” Tim Tebow shirt if they sold em. Neutral colors, not team affiliated. lol
No one can predict the future but I believe if TD would not have gotten hurt he would’ve put up HOF numbers.
He’s HOF in my book along with many other former Broncos players!
“Coach, I can’t see.”
“We don’t need you to see on this play, but if you’re not in there, they’ll never believe we’re running it.”
CLASSIC!!
Not as classic, but basically the same thing under McD when on third or fourth and one, it didn’t matter that any of his RBs could see because they could of never gotten that one yard anyway…
LOL bay………..yup, usually ended up a loss of yard or back to the line of scrimmage at best! And those missed opportunities were game changers.
“Having issues with your franchise, can’t seem to get a few things working? Do you have a lot of talent on your team but need some help with attitude adjustments? Well come on down to McD and Co. where we’ll ruin your franchise in under 2 years, or the 3rd year is free. That’s the McD guarantee!
Beast I’m with you…. I have to sport my Tebow jersey loud and proud as long as he’s a member of the Denver Broncos. The only other jersey I have is a Dawkins. I said the next jersey I get will either be Sharpe, Davis, or Bailey. After Bailey I’m not messing with anymore current players because you just never know how long they will be with the team.
LOL brian on your 01:39pm post !!!
caramelloo – how’ve you been? Good to see you back on the broncos blogs!
BFE, don’t forget, when you get in that scrap and the law is called, just simply tell them that the guy was soooooo drunk that he fell against your hand several times. Every time you tried to help him up, ke kept falling into your hand.
royal what’s up bro! I’ve been good as I’ve finally somewhat adjusted to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest while missing New Orleans at the same time. I try to peek my head in here every now and then, but wifey and I have been busy getting the nursery together for the arrival of our lil man. How have you been bro?
Also incase no one has posted this but I’m sure I’m late. This is a nice read……
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82160481/article/tebow-will-fail-in-denver-because-no-one-has-vested-interest?module=HP11_cp
Just got back home from an interview with a clinic for a paramedic position. You’re thinking- “whats this have to do with the Broncos. Or even football in general?”
Well, I had to take a Wonderlic test as a part of the interview process!
That was a difficult test let me tell you…
I can care less if I get hired, I just want to know what I scored on that test. LMAO
that article is junk. Lambardi and Jaime Dukes have already got me hot blooded. And here I thought, switching from the political to entertainment environment would be a welcomed change. nope…
Can’t add anything to what Lombardi just said since it’s just painfully true, except for the part where we don’t know yet for sure that Tebow is basically not in any of our plans for the future, but I believe all the explanations Lombardi gives that he won’t be are way more powerful than any of the ones I have heard saying that he still is, including BB&R’s in depth analysis the other day.
Who are we really fooling but ourselves…
Get that lighter fluid ready BFE!
The Broncos don’t know what they have in Tebow and I don’t feel like they’re willing to find out…..
hahaha sndl, watch you pass with flying colors and get the job bc of that.
steve it’s not an enjoyable read but it is a read that gets your wheels spinning in some direction. I’m a Tebow supporter and hate to think that our organization doesn’t support him, but sometimes things like that end up a reality. I mean I’m wearing my Tebow jersey when me and my wife do our maternity pics this weekend.
Using the MO described by lambardi, then I guess every single player to be drafted by other than the current coach is set up to fail? Tebow is in anything but a position to fail and Fox’s history shows it. It’s only his second year, there is no HUGE QQ going on here but what is perpetrated by raw emotion. It’s messy sure, but not a disaster. Both Orton and Tebow will prove on the field, who is deserving and my money is on Tebow.
Once again good luck with everything melloo.
I am attacking Lambardi btw… INMHO I do not imagine, Orton being allowed to remain the starter if he stinks up the joint. Then incomes, Tebow and he gets to show his on the field credibility. That to me is not being set up to fail. I also do not foresee how any NFL team would implement a full out spread offense just for Tebow, so no matter where, what coach, etc. He will have to adjust his play accordingly regardless. I am certain that he will be able to and will be just fine.
It all goes back to what I always say about our QB situation, like this morning by example, no one knows, no one, not anybody, not in the organization, not outside the organization, no one knows how it will unfold, they are just winging it taking the approach of doing the less risky thing at this point starting Orton, that’s about all this is for now, guessing were this will go is just about as cerebrally sound as throwing a coin.
indeed, balyin and I completely agree.. These article do not help. and i am tired of seeing these ‘credible” sports journalists, etc. playing this out like some political commentary.
Anyway, 3 and a half hours to go for me to finally see our guys on the field for the first time this year, I really don’t care about the QQ right this minute, just excited to see what the practice blogs have been talking about for the last 2 weeks.
Hey guys. I said I was gonna wait until after the game to blog but I’m just too excited (maybe even a bit apprehensive) for things to get started. Bay I read your response to my novel and I want to say thanks. You and I are in in agreement that not having a guy to hang our hat is getting old. I know you said it doesn’t have to be another John Elway(there can be only one), but I think it is high time for an elite QB. I also believe we have him on the squad already. I’m fine with him “developing” another year, maybe even two (God forbid) but if EFX never let’s this guy get out there and game before trading him or losing him to a team that wants him in free agency it will be extremely sad. For me it would be worse than the Cutler and Hillis trades combined. To never let the kid get a shot and see if there’s any magic would be the ultimate waste.
Now that that’s out of the way, I am really excited to see our defense. I’m excited to see what Moreno and McGahee have in store for us. I know we haven’t had much time to implement the new schemes, but Dallas is in the same boat we are so it should be interesting. Our preseason game one performance won’t necessarily reflect the team we’ll be by week 16, but it’s gonna be great to have a chance to see the guys really playing. Has Bay made clear, it’s evaluation time, baby!
Go Broncos!
The interesting thing about Lombardi is he basically was the only national media guy who stuck with what McD was doing here the last two years and gave us a chance in hell to win more than the three or 4 games a year others predicted we would win at the most, and that made him respected by most Bronco fans for anyone who has half a memory. And look what happened, McD made Lombardi look like a total fool just like the fans who liked him for liking what McD was doing, I not included, haha. And now, what a turn of event, he seemingly doesn’t like us anymore, giving EFX crap about a lot of what they are doing like maybe he doesn’t like Elway in that position of power and everybody now hates him, I think it’s humoristic, seriously.
Thanks Bay, appreciate it bro! I hope someone is keeping tabs on all these fakers who hate us know, because they will be the same ones trying to jump on our sack when we do return to winning ways. They did the same thing with the Saints, Jets, Chiefs, Raiders, etc. People always wanna be down with a winner, and then say I told you so when a team starts to win. I know I’m Broncos no matter what happens! Orange and Blue are the only colors that look good on me!!
I’m sorry but that Lombardi article is a complete joke. Everything statement he made was based on assumptions that no one from outside the organization is qualified to make. How does he know that “no one in the organization wants to be burdened with the pick”? I think Bay had a more accurate analysis in that simply no one knows what’s going to happen. It’s sickening to watch all these experts act like they know what’s going on inside our walls. I read an article from Bill Williamson on the espn blog where he said Tebow got pulled form the second team in practice after a fumbled snap. If he’d been to the practice or read our blog he would’ve seen each of the three quarterbacks only had on shot at that particular drill.
He doesn’t know if anyone has a vested interest or not. I remember why I took a break from all this. Reading these guy’s opinions on Tebow makes me sick to my stomach. I understand the possibility is there for anything to happen, but for these guys to make all these wild assumptions based only on the fact that Tebow is not the starter right this second is maddening to me. I’m done until after the game. And if it just so happens that Tebow has a bad game (which all QB’s including Tom Brady and Peyton Manning inevitably do) I will be done indefinitely. Don’t think I can handle the bs that will be flying around at that point.