This is going to be a fun weekend for the Broncos and their fans.
The Broncos will host the tremendous New England Patriots (this week going as the Boston Patriots because the two clubs are playing in an American Football League Legacy game), and the game itself is plenty.
But this week, that seems like just the beginning. Both teams are going all out in celebration of the AFL. Some fans might say, “so what” to the AFL, properly noting it was a long time ago.
Well, most of us were born a long time ago also, and if we hadn’t been we would not be reading this.
Same for the AFL. No AFL, no pro football in Denver and no Denver Broncos.
Just a few things that will mark the weekend at INVESCO Field at Mile High.
Besides the players being in the 1960 uniforms, so will the officials—in fact, they will be the only “team” sporting orange this Sunday, as the 1960 officials’ uniforms featured an orange and white striped shirt.
The cheerleaders will be in a 1960 outfit, complete with the big pom pons from that era, and there will be a lot of 1960 music played on the PA system.
The end zones will be marked with the crisscrossed diamond design, and a lot of the scoreboard images will be in black and white (but not the game action itself, that stays in color).
Cokes will sell for 25 cents each until the start of the game, and a lot of the concessions personnel will be wearing the paper hats that some of us will remember from an earlier era.
There is going to be a flyover, like many games have, but in this case the aircraft buzzing over the playing field will be vintage 1960—C130J Super Hercules planes, which definitely will cast a bigger shadow that the sleet jets we are used to seeing.
The CSU marching band, which made the most appearances at Bronco games of any marching band during the decade of the 1960s will make a halftime appearance, and there will also be an encore performance by the Bronco Band, once again performing under Jess Girardi and entertaining fans as they enter gate 9.
The program cover will be a throwback to the 1960 season, with caricatures of both teams featured and a 1960 Coca Cola ad on the back cover.
The team captains will be two of the individuals who played in that first ever AFL game, September 9, 1960 when the Broncos defeated the Patriots at Boston University Field—Gene Mingo will don his gold and brown number 21 while counterpart Gino Cappelletti of the Patriots will be in his throwback number 20 for the visiting Beantowners.
But once the Broncos are introduced, old style, and run through a banner to take the field, it still comes down to football, and it promises to be a great matchup, one to match the pageantry befitting this Legacy Game between two AFL originals.
Tags: Boston Patriots, Jim Saccomano, Legacy Game, Week 5
Can’t wait!! Thanks for the details Jim!
Thanks Jim. I was born in 76″, but I still love reading your blog. I believe you remind us all of the old timers that where Broncos, and always give us a great history lesson of our beloved team.
is this the first time the broncos have gone throwback? sorry, only 15…
ok not football related but im excited for the $0.25 cokes! haha sunday is going to be a blast!
orton should keep wearing the glove seem to be good luck
This will be fun seeing the beginning of our Broncos come back to life. It will be a very fun and interesting game, can’t wait!! Wish like crazy I could be there in person though! :’(
GO BRONCOS!!!!
Hi all, This is my first post although I check the site daily. I am from England and have been a fan for 24 years. The Broncos are not getting any love from the presenters over here which is really annoying because we are playing great football.
I am looking forward to the game this weekend and hopefully we can be 5-0 by the end of the game. I think Doom will have a big game on Sunday and the pressure our D is getting will lead to a few turnovers as Tom Brady is looking a little unsettled under pressure this year.
BMarsh is looking great and that can only be a good thing and our running game warrents respect which should lead to Brandon and Eddie being able to get open for Orton to find them.
Please let me know what you guys are thinking about Sundays game
bazzashaw, welcome to U.S. football, it must be a little different from European football because here we call the “presenters” the analysts, the commentators otherwise known as the “who cares what they say media dudes”. No seriously your presenters are probably not any better than our analysts. Here in the US, everything is based on money, so if you root for East coast teams or West coast teams, areas much more populated than the rocky mountain aera for example, you will make a lot more money than if you pull for the Broncos. So when you listen to presenters always remember they could care less about telling the truth, they say whatever will make the big markets happy, so the money keeps pouring in. Ah… I wish I had something better to tell you about our media or the U.S., but I’m afraid that’s it for now. Thanks for being a Bronco fan, it means a lot to me, coming from so far.
Well now Torain ATV fan as you say let us “old timers” pass the torch that burns orange on to you. The AFL never was expected to become the AFC! Alot of fans back then and players never gave the AFL a chance in hell to become as great as it is now. But as Jim points out it is where the Broncos roots started from. So be proud of the history and tradition the disrepected AFL has become.
Go “Striped Socks and all” Broncos!!
FTR
ftr,
THANKS FOR YOUR INFO. i EAT UP ANYTHING THAT IS BRONCOS FOOTBALL. Only 32, but I cant remember when I wasnt a broncos fan.,
Well FTR…
I have heard that the players have the choice to wear the Striped socks. Haha, and I havent heard anything good out of their mouths so I am really eager to see if theyre any on the field!
I know the talk is about the uniforms, but if Buckhalter gets back, and we stay away from injuries, what are the chances we go to the superbowl? win it? play the Saints in it?
TRB, I know you’ll end up here sooner or later, so please understand that the reference about McD being, or having the potential of being a great coach and me analizing why Shanny was referred to as a great coach because of who his QB’s were (Young and Elway) had a lot to do with the heat of the moment, watching that miked up video. That being said, agreed with you Shanahan believed in establishing the run first to open up the passing game second. I always loved that about him, we could count on our running game no matter what. However, regardless of how many injuries we had at RB last year, ever since Shanny got Cutler he started to slowly but surely get away from the running game because he wrongly thought that Cutler was the Messiah. And it obviously was a big mistake on his part. Also I believe he tried his best to adapt to the game, as it always changes in the NFL from decade to decade, but he kind of got left behind as far as adapting to how the new NFL players behave. He basically totally lost control of his players in the last few years because he didn’t realize that just treating your players with respect and expecting their best in return wasn’t good enough anymore. Players are much more spoiled now and they need to be handle with a totally different arm strength if you want a shot at keeping them on your side. They want instant gratification, instant money, instant everything, I mean most of them have gotten so spoiled regarding the rest of the world because of what they earn that they have to be seriously disciplined first if they are ever expected to produce in your system. Shanahan could not do that, and he won’t be able to do it for another team either. Mr. nice guy doesn’t work any longer in the NFL. His spa training camps won’t cut it anymore wherever he will coach, his no pads training sessions won’t get anybody ready. His coaching ways are something of the past. Today’s spoiled kids need a strong hand, a strong regimen of discipline, tough training and that’s what McD brings to the table, he even brought a guy like Dawkins to help him get it done. Come to think of it, definitely the most valuable off season aquisition. I have respected Shanny over the years, will forever be grateful for the two super bowl wins and I will never, ever experience a win like the 97 one against the Packers ever again. That was the first one ever and will never be matched, I waited so many years…. However many years have gone by since and probably since year 1999-2000 I started having doubts about Shanahan. By last year, trust me, I was fully ready to see him go, I just never thought Bowlen would have the rocks to get it done. He did, and I shared the same foresight that he did. Shanny had not adapted to the times, and the times had passed him by, nothing shameful about that, we all have our 15 minutes of fame, his lasted 14 years. I think he should stick with golf. LOL. Of course, RTB, just my opinions and I know yours are different, but you have a way to go at it that always makes me respect them even if I don’t always, or rarely ahahah, agree with them.
…analyzing…
…acquisition… Darn this post was too long.
HAHAHA….When I saw TRB…I was about to be like….”I havent said anything on this blog yet” but u sure were right. I Found my way here eventually.
But yea that was some nice analyzing…you sounded like a presenter lol….welcome Bazzashaw by the way. Boards could always use more points of view. Yea Shanny was always a RB guy…he got away from that with cutler a bit and tried to create another elway by force…forgetting, elway always took us to the game but needed some good running assistance from TD to get it done for us. Same thing seems to be happening in Chicago….Forte is almost a non-factor this year…..I see some of that “cutler charm” has rubbed off on Lovie smith lol.
Wish I could remember the Packer Superbowl but wasn’t in America yet. First football game I ever watched was Broncos vs Falcons super bowl. My Brother was already into football and loved the Falcons so naturally I was rooting for the Broncos….that’s sibling rivalry for you lol. But I’ve been a fan ever since, which was why it took me a while to get over shanny. His era was all I ever knew but while i was “ok” with the era shift now its growing on me more.
Thx for the info on the game Jim. If i was in Denver I would definitely attend to see how things were in Baylin, Dave and OC’s days lmao.
Another point in the tough McD approach vs. the spa Shanahan approach. With weather being bad, rain, sleet, cold, McD was asked today if they’d practice in the bubble, coach said heck no, how could I expect my players to perform Sunday in the cold and snow if we practice in a bubble? Guess what, under Shanny, they’d all be in the bubble.
so fred taylor is out. so now they dont have much of running game. and moss might be out? not sure but things are looking good. also our team is finally getting respect. the other day on sirius blitz said they changed their mind and pick Broncos to win the division over the chargers. also talking about us on NFL network. cant wait till sunday. i hope MCD has something up his sleeve for his old team. GO DENVER. GO BRONCOS.
TRB, you are obviously a smart man for knowing so much about our team which you basically discovered in 98. There is so much that would be impossible for you to understand about a fan like me who started in 75. First there was all the 60′s ridiculous years, like the yellow jerseys ahahah, luckly I came after that, then the incredible fast rise to the top with Red Miller and the orange crush culminating in the super bowl in 77. Then the hangover for the next few years and 83 when we trade Baltimore for Elway and he becomes the first player in the NFL with a one million dollar contract. Then 4 years to the promissed land, reached the super bowl in 86, 87, and 89, only to lose each one by a worse score each time. Reeves, our coach, was kind of like Shottenheimer, he could get you there but never put you over the top, the bigger the game, the more predictable he became. There were two camps in Denver the pro Reeeves and the pro Elway, in that case I always stood by Elway, have always thought he was the one, since the first year. I have a Bronco album that I fill with all kinds of precious tidbit over the years and it starts with a full spread on Elway with the intro “Mr. Denver Broncos”. Finally Elway remained and Reeves was let go, first huge decision by Bowlen that ended up eventually putting us up on top of the NFL. Al Davis then let’s go of Shanahan and he becomes our head coach. Then we win the superbowl in 97. It is impossible to explain what that felt like, after losing 4 of them and being tied with Buffalo and the Vikings for that dubious record. I watch that game in a bowling alley bar in Florida with some hardcore Bronco fans I knew for years. I remember it like it was yesterday, I have pics in my album, we were all dressed out, we had a one year old baby fully Bronco decked out, I had my 3′x5′ Bronco flag by the TV, the beer was flowing, it was total mayhem, and it was in a Florida bar just because 6 crazy fans made it happen, I will never forget it, it was something that will never be matched (sorry): REDEMPTION. I swear my feet did not touch the ground for two weeks. This feeling was only possible because of what we endured over the years, I somehow feel bad for the young people who know nothing but the super bowl wins, they are so spoiled and therefore so impatient about where we’re at and are always talking super bowl. I will take it if it happens, but I also have learned how to wait. Patience is everything.
Nice. I really like how they are doing more than just throwback jerseys. With everything they are doing this is really going to be a throwback game. It has taken me some time to get over the fact that they will not be wearing orange and blue but I think it will be a great game. My jaw will probably drop when I see all those striped socks but hey maybe those socks will distract Tom Brady and the Patriots. I say this Sunday we go 5-0.
go broncos stripe socks musterd yellow jerseys and brown helmets. as shannan sharpe once said better call the law cause we are killin the patriots
I am not a fan of the Broncos’ retro uniforms, but it’s important to remember where we came from. I’m glad we’ve made progress to those sweet orange uniforms we wore against the Cowboys. Come what may, we’re going to win because Dawkins and his cohorts won’t let us lose. Keep up the good work, GO BRONCOS!!!
I am also a long time reader, first time posting.
First off, as a Colorado native I get so PISSED OFF when I read
“Broncos Nation”…. It is and always will be BRONCOS COUNTRY!
I also think that after the game we should continue the tradition and
BURN the socks in a BIG bon fire!
In order to do that wildman, everyone is going to have to chant “BURN THE SOCKS” during and after the game
Fellow Bronco Fans… please watch what will happen to the Chiefs when we play them…
http://www.easports.com/media/play/video/10834290
Lol Baylin, sounds like good times. I can never get enough Broncos football that sometimes I wish I was alive back then even tho we lost those superbowl lol. But theres more to come. I wasnt even born for the first 3 superbowls we made it to and lost….seen them thnx to NFL films tho lol. I am one of those impatient Broncos but the last 10 years have been mediocre minus the AFC championship run in 2005 when we lost to the superbowl champion steelers. Seems like when Pat Bowlen finally made a change to shannahan, we won the big game, maybe history is in favor of McD. Lets give him like what? 3 years lol. But for me every season is a possible superbowl season even when I know we are lacking in some areas. But i like this “Next Gen” team. As a show of good faith I benched Tom Brady in my League and picked up Matt hasslebeck. Too much conflict of interest plus I have denvers Defense lol (draft em last round every year cuz I always have hope
)
GO BRONCOS!!!
wildman347, welcome to the greatest blog on earth!!!
You are absolutely right. People have misconstrued this “Nation” thing – that is a Raiders thing.
Even Shannon Shape has been guilty of that awful saying!
We are BRONCOS COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get it right Broncos family*
Also, it is unheard, in my day as a Broncos’ fan, to call our beloved Denver Broncos – DONKEYS. Some of you Broncos’ fans have gotten too accustomed to hanging around Raiders’ (or non-Broncos) fans.
It is the BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get it right Broncos family*
Wildman347, glad to see your first post, however, you’re starting off with a bomb here, “keep faith Bronco NATION” is the ending of 07′s every post. Many here refer to her as our princess, and I have been told in the past I better not mess with her, so be warned…LOL. I personally don’t care for it either, but here you will read all kind of terms used for either our team or others that are absolutely tasteless, like this week Brady in a skirt, last week the cowgirls, at anytime the donkeys etc… It is just a way that people have to vent off their daily life’s frustrations, I tried to bring it up a few times in an attempt to bring the Bronco fans up to a higher standard than the rest of the league, but to no avail. Futile excercise, welcome to freedom of speech, some use it to demean others through cheap insulting images, others choose to actually express worthwhile opinions. Anyway, I digress here, 07 never, EVER, says anything bad about the Broncos, she is the female counterpart of Dynamic Dave, both the most optimistic Bronco bloggers ever. There would be better bloggers to be p****d off at. Just my suggestion.
however, come to think of it, OGBronco4life, you’re absolutely right, Nation is associated with the Raiders so it seems inappropriate to use it with Broncos next to it, maybe Ashley will agree to it also and have a new ending to her posts “keep faith Bronco Country”.
I’ll be there all painted up for sure!
baylin, hopefully she will!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BRONCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSS!!!!
Lets just hope that Broncos Country destroy the Patties on Sunday!! Heres to seeing Doom getting Bradys skirt dirty in the mud!
Bronco Nation, Bronco Country, Time of Possesion, GO GET EM’ BOYS!, Keep the Faith, Shake the House, Go Donkey’s, Go Horses, Go Rabbits, Viva la’ Denver, Get Me Some!, …..
I don’t care how you refere to our team as long as you support em’
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
Well if someone’s gonna flip a gasket over one little saying, I’ll change it. Sheesh.
Had no intention at all of associating “nation” with that joke of a team in Oakland, in fact it never popped up in my head.
Sorry… you’ll have to excuse me being so blunt, oh wait, that’s nothing new from me. Anyway, the past couple of weeks have not been nice to me so I’ve been ticked off myself pretty much for the past couple of weeks.
I know I read there were 2 new people on here, one of them being wildman347… so welcome. Getting alot of new bloggers on here, always nice to welcome new people.
Keep the faith Bronco Country…
GO BRONCOS!!!!
Broncos Country… God’s Country, same thing. LOL!
My dad has been a Bronco fan since the mid ’60s and usually affectionately refers to them as the Donkeys. Never thought other Bronco fans would be offended by that, but to each his own, I guess.
IMO, call them what you want. It doesn’t affect my opinion of the team. But again, that’s my opinion.
IMO referring to our team as the “Donkeys” is not affectionate at all. What is another word for Donkey? “ASS”. The term is very derogatory and I thought it was only used by people that are against our team. I’m just saying I didn’t think Broncos fans EVER referred to them as the “Donkeys.”
Something worth of attention… nice article.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/kerry_byrne/10/08/broncos.defense/index.html
Go Broncooos!
moreno was just announced NFL rookie of the week!!! congrats kiddd
Dang. Wish I didn’t live in Seattle, otherwise I’d pay top dollar to be at this one. Sounds like it’s gonna be a great time!
Brady will remember those socks forever… because it’s what he will see plenty of time this sunday at GROUND LEVEL!!
Go Broncooos!
07Elway:Check my post to you under”Preparing for the elements”
whitebronco#1,
Thanks for that article on the defense! Great stats. I’m emailing it to all the Broncos fans I know. (And some Raiders and Chargers fans too!).
broncofanlvnm:
You have a right to your opinion, but I’m sticking to my original statement. It’s a nickname like any other nickname people use (Orange Crush, Broncs, Big D, etc.). You find it derogatory and that’s fine. My dad has always used it and has been a fan for a very, very long time.
I saw a comment on this board about using the term, and I was just giving my 2 cents about it. And on a similar note, that’s not the only time I’ve ever heard it used, either. Unless things have changed since I grew up in Denver, tons of fans refer to them as that, so my dad is not the only one. Maybe it’s a generational thing….
GO BRONCOS……or whatever you want to call them!
quick comment before i forget… i have read some comments, one in particular, concerning people being upset about using the term donkeys to refer to our broncos… apparently some are not too impressed by this! lol well, i am 2nd gen (3rd really) broncos fan, and i often refer to them as the donkeys, especially when around other broncos fans. this is called Reappropriation. it means to take a term or phrase that previously had a negative connotation and make it your own. there are many examples of this in our culture so dont get too fired up over it!
just thought some explanation was due! and also thought i better defend myself amongst others since i know i have used “donkeys” in the past!!
GO BRONCOS
oh, just some examples….. redneck used to be derrogitory however it has been reappropriated by…. you guessed it, the rednecks, not so derrogitory now! how bout how girls call their friends B*&@ches or S%$ts. or black folks and the N word. its quite common really! either way, who cares! we are all friends here, so calm down! and ya kgallant46 my dad has said donkeys since i was a little kid. prob where i picked it up!
GO BRONCOS
Hey Baylinorcrush you are off a little on your history. After Shanny was fired by Davis we hired him back as a QB coach. Then he and Elway were makeing plays behind Reaves back and Nolen who was the LB coach at the time told Reaves who the fired Shanny who was hired by SF as a OC. Two seasons after fireing Reaves Shanny was hired to Replace Wade Philips. So Bowlen wanted to hire Nolen to run the D This year and when Shanny said no , Bowlen fired Shanny.
broncofanlvnm, IMO the term “Donkeys” can definitely be used affectionately. Lighten up a notch, ok?
@ everyone: Wow, everyone is so emotionally charged this week! Excited much? Biggest game of the year to this point much? Hecks yeah it is!
@ Baylin: Wow, what a couple o’ monster posts! My only question about the spa-Shanny era is the last high-tide of 2005, beating the Pats in the Divisional playoffs and advancing to the AFC championship. That, if I’m not mistaken, was the third playoff appearance in three seasons, and I honestly believe that had we gotten passed the Steelers, we woulda won it all that year! Top-ten offense and defense and an unforgettably explosive offense vs. Rex Grossman and Da Bears…so was that year an aberration? Do you really believe Shanahan will not ever be a successful coach again?
@ everyone again: so where are all the score predictions? Do you all think McD will have enough to get Tom Brady off kilter?
tnalen66, actually I believe the history of Shanahan with the Broncos started in 1984 when he was hired by Reeves as QB coach. Anyway thanks for your input, but as you could see my post was so darn long I was giving out a condensed short version of the chronology. By the way, if you want to be so precise about the past, might as well do it with the names too, it’s Reeves, Nolan and Phillips.