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.

Denver Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway did his pre-draft press conference on Monday, and one question brought what I thought was one of the “money comments” from the entire briefing.

In referencing one of the National Football League drafts’ common themes, that of impact players, a reporter asked John if the term impact meant in the future or now for the Broncos.

“No, we’re talking about now,” John replied in words that should make every Bronco fan very happy.

The longtime NFL head coach Chuck Knox, who once said that he learned everything he ever needed to know back in the eighth grade at his school in remote Pennsylvania, use to say that, “Yesterday is a cancelled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is cash.”

The Super Bowl is over, the confetti is being swept up in New York’s Canyon of Heroes, players are in or headed to any number of recreational sites to heal their wounds and get some R and R.

And within organizations, the building for next year is under way.

A key factor for all to remember is that each season is its own, it has its own ups and downs, its own results and ultimately, it deserves its own dignity.

The Denver Broncos from 1986 through 1998 won 14 playoff games in that 13-year span, including five Super Bowl appearances and back to back world championships.