I was originally going to right an outrageous response to a blog entry that many of you may have read. You can find the entire entry HERE. If you don’t want to read the whole thing, basically the guy doesn’t like mascots. Now, the guy puts a disclaimer at the top saying he’s a huge Broncos fan and that sometimes you just need to complain. Duly noted. I’m not saying it didn’t ruffle my feathers and I understand that some people just don’t like mascots. So I was going to tear this guy apart (in a funny way) and maybe create a dialogue between us that people would find entertaining, but I decided that maybe he had some valid questions. So I decided I would answer them. Well, mainly this one:
“Why do we need this?
Is this a ploy to increase sales of mascot-related merchandise? Because I can’t see any respectable parent buying the hard back book “Mile’s Grand Adventure: a chronicle of Mile’s A-to-Z journey around the state of Colorado,” or a serious golfer shelling out $33 for headcovers in the shape of Mile’s head?”
Now, I realize he’s just ranting, but a lot of people probably don’t realize what I do. Running around at the game “(theoretically) entertaining children” is only 10 days out of my year. The author also mentions that we already had a mascot, in Thunder. 100% correct. So why another mascot is his question. Allow me to break it down…
-Let’s say this guy actually procreates. Being a hard core Bronco Fan, he’ll undoubtedly take his child to a game WAY before they can appreciate football. With all the stuff going on during gameday, what’s the kid going to probably take notice of? The horsey? Probably. Now, will Thunder come over and take a picture? Probably not, Thunder is very limited in where he can go on the field. Will Thunder sign an autograph picture that the kid will take home and put up on the wall that will then become their first Bronco fixation, only to grow into another hardcore Bronco Fan (to the delight of daddy)? Most likely not. Will Miles be something the kid can identify with, and be able to take the time to take pictures and sign autographs? YOU BET BABY!
-Will Thunder be able to visit the kids that are stuck in their beds in the Hospitals?
-Will Thunder be able to show up for someone’s birthday party?
-Will Thunder be able to be at your company’s Holiday party that they scheduled at Invesco because all the employees are huge Broncos fans?
-Will Thunder be able to be at your son’s Bar Mitzvah?
-Will Thunder be able to be at the starting line at Race for the Cure?
-Will Thunder be at the wedding of two hardcore Broncos fans?
-Will Thunder be making appearances at the Boys & Girls Clubs over the summer?
-Will Thunder represent the Broncos for Mascot Hockey at the Eagles game?
I could go on, but the point I’m trying to make is that I do a lot more than “act like a complete buffoon” at games. I know there are a lot of you out there who like mascots and understand what we do, but for the people that don’t, maybe this will open their eyes a little.
Each year I do anywhere from 225 to almost 300 appearances. Many of those are to support local charities and community initiatives. I’m not trying to toot my own horn here, I just want people like this guy to realize why teams have mascots. The very last reason we exist is to sell more product. The one thing I love about most Broncos fans is they support the team, the whole team. They love the players, coaches, the cheerleaders, and yes, even the mascots. So the next time you see a mascot and wonder, “What the heck is he doing, and why is he even here?” just think about all the other things they probably do in (and for) the community.
I very much appreciate your response to my rant about mascots. And as a deeply obsessed Denver Broncos fan, I think I need to appology to you for one important reason.
I truly believe you (the person) love the Broncos and are just as big a fan of this team as myself. Please believe me when I say that I did not intend to offend you with my failed attempt at a humorous rant. And, while I still don’t like the idea of mascots, I most certainly don’t want to insult or damage another Denver Broncos fan.
Yours Truly,
Jonathan Douglas
Denver Obsession
http://www.mydenverobsession.com
Jonathan,
First things first. I’m a horse, not a person(even in parenthesis).
Now, I guess I also should have posted a disclaimer at the beginning of MY rant. I was just trying to give people a little perspective because most people don’t really know all the stuff that mascots do. I’m OK with you not liking mascots, but it sounds like now you respect them, and that’s all I really wanted. So, can we hug it out?
Miles
#00
Hi Miles,
) there are tons of us that love mascots…and Miles particularly. I think that you are very entertaining and not just for kids either. I think that you are great for those of us who are young at heart. I think the world could use some more “cartoonish” light hearted fun. I am also a lifelong Broncos fan, and I find no problem with the team having more than one mascot…hey the more Broncos supporters the better! Anyway, just wanted to let you know that there are those us in Bronco Country that love you, and appreciate all you do for the community too. Thanks for the blog too Miles.
Just wanted to let you know that for every Neeeiiiigh sayer (thought Denver Obsession would love that pun
Debbie
Bronco Country profile Miles Rulz
Thanks Debbie!
I just chalk it up to “Different Strokes for Different Folks”
I’m glad you enjoy my work, I love doing it!
Hey Miles,
Those of us at the MileHighReport love mascots!!!
Just look at my logo and you’ll see our infatuation with horses…
Keep up the great work, my 3-year old loves you!!
TSG
http://www.milehighreport.com
hey guys!
I can totally see where both you guys r comming from. In fact, before Miles, i probably would have been appaled at the very thought of having a mascot other than Thunder, but miles is just way too cool to not love and i think everyone (including me) is way too attached to not like him. Miles, YOU ROCK!
Miles, just know that you are truly appreciated! I absolutely LOVE going to the games and watching you “do your thang”!
I’m sure I speak for MANY Broncos fans when I say… “We are glad to have you, friend! Thank you for all that you do!”
ChocolateQT
Whats up Miles? I can’t believe this guy calls himself a Broncos Fan, you either all we have to offer or none of it. You are a big part of the package, like you said, Thunder is limited to his mobility on the field, someone has to keep up fan relations, and kids absolutley love you. I actually have a picture of you posing like superman on the background of my phone right now. I am 23 and I think you are the . . . . . . well you know. So if he wants be be called a die hard Broncos fan, he needs to jump on the Miles Wagon!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whats up Miles? I can’t believe this guy calls himself a Broncos Fan, you either all we have to offer or none of it. You are a big part of the package, like you said, Thunder is limited to his mobility on the field, someone has to keep up fan relations, and kids absolutley love you. I actually have a picture of you posing like superman on the background of my phone right now. I am 23 and I think you are the . . . . . . well you know. So if he wants be be called a die hard Broncos fan, he needs to jump on the Miles Wagon!!!!!!!!!!!!!
geebles
[...] think ANYONE actually read my blog, apparently, our mascot Miles does (or did). He wrote a post recently in his blog explaining how much charity work is done by the NFL mascots as well as other [...]
[...] of my rant reached Miles. Now Miles has his own blog… don’t ask. And he wrote a rather scathing retort to my post. If you read either post you’ll see that I appologized for the rude nature of the [...]
Thanks Miles! A great blog. It doesn’t waste my time. Thank your for sharing such great point of view. Keep it up and thanks a lot. I so appreciate it.